Metaphasia, the next production being offered by Wolf River Theatrical Troupe, is a children’s musical, produced by the summer children’s workshop, “Scripts, Stage and Escapades”. The musical is starting to take form under the direction of Chris Renner. Renner has directed plays for children before, but never a musical.
There is an entirely different feel to a musical both on stage and off, says Margie Brown, WRTT director.
“Chris is doing a great job, he’s studied the script at great length and has great focus,” says Brown. “He’s also got a great deal of patience, as many of these students do not have any previous acting experience. It’s amazing to see how far they have come in just six short weeks.”
A radical retelling of the fairytale, “The Twelve Dancing Princesses,” Metaphasia is a magical land that young Angie Anderson finds herself sucked into when she enters her bedroom closet looking for a pair of shoes. Angie’s intrusion into this magical place causes the walls of fantasy to start crumbling and she is caught there, and may remain there forever unless her little brother finds a way to rescue her from the evil plotting Princess Devilla.
Costumes are a big part of the show too, and Renner’s wife, Sandy, has been hard at work, sewing the many princess costumes, plus outfitting several other characters.
One young actress has five costume changes to do throughout the show. “We’re getting our lines down now, so that we can work on the timing of everything for the next two weeks,” said Renner. Then it’s show time.
There are matching dolls that “come alive” at night. A bedroom transforms into a magical land, too.
“There is only so much you can do with one stage, but we’re pulling out the stops and really doing some neat transitions in this play,” says Brown.
Renner says his main focus this week with the students has been diction, volume and projection. “Our young actors will definitely be heard the night of the show,” says Renner. “It’s amazing to see what you can do with young people, they are constantly on their feet, many with a series of costume changes and transitions. They’re doing really, really well.”
The play opens Aug. 4 at 7 p.m., with a second show Aug. 5 and two final shows Aug. 6, at 2 p.m. and again at 7 p.m. Wolf River Community Theatre is located at 225 W. North Water Street in New London, across from Jolly Rogers Pizzeria. Call Judy at 982-6060 for reservations. The theatre is wheelchair accessible and offers a snack and refreshment bar.