Fairy Tales: June 2015

We’re so proud of all the performers who created an act based around a fairy tale that inspired them in some way. Enjoy a modern take on some old-fashioned tales.

The Two Frogs, based on a Japanese folktale, author unknown.

Performance, Choreography and Costumes by Kelly Bratz & Lindsey Morgan
Music: Movin’ Right Along by Kenny Ascher and Paul Williams

“Once upon a time there lived two frogs who lived on opposite sides of an island. One of the frogs made his home in a ditch, on the sea coast, while the other dwelt in a clear little stream. At such a great distance apart, they had never even heard of each other; but, funnily enough, the idea came into both their heads at once that they should like to see the other side of the island.

So one fine morning in the spring they both set out on their journeys to the other side. At exactly halfway between their two homes there arose a huge mountain which had to be climbed. It took them a long time and a great many hops to reach the top, but there they were at last, and what a surprise to find each other!

They fell into conversation, explaining the cause of their meeting so far from their homes. One of the frogs lamenting how tiring the hopping was spoke out. “What a pity we are not taller, for then we could see both sides of the island from here, and tell if it is worth our while going on. I wouldn’t want to continue the trip if the other side of the island looks the same.” The other frog suggested excitedly “If we stand up on our hind legs, and hold onto each other, then we can each look at the side of the island we are traveling to.”

This idea pleased the frogs so much that they immediately began trying to figure out how stand up on their hind legs. They both stood, stretching themselves as high as they could. However, the foolish frogs forgot that when they stood up on their hind legs their great big eyes lay in the backs of their heads, and their eyes beheld the places from which they had come.

‘Dear me!’ cried the frogs ‘The other side is the same as my own. It is certainly not worth such a long journey. I shall go home!’ Then they took a polite farewell, and set off for home again, and to the end of their lives they believed that the entire world looked exactly the same, and never left home again.”

Gaston, based on Beauty and the Beast by Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve.

Performance, Choreography and Costume by Angela Bellaconis
Music: Me by Burke Moses

“Hey everyone, we’ve just received a letter in the mail! Oh! It’s from Gaston! Let’s see what is says. *Ahem.

“You, my quaint and simple townsfolk, are cordially invited to the event of the year! MYYY Wedding. Yes, yes, I know… the most eligible bachelor for leagues has finally decided to tie the knot with some lucky girl, and who would have thought I would have picked someone from THIS tiny town? Well, no matter! I’ve chosen, and I have chosen well -the most BEAUTIFUL girl in town, and that makes her the best, and don’t I DESERVE the best?””

Jasmine, based on Aladdin by Youhenna Diab

Performance, Choreography and Costume by Christine Rawls
Music: Misirlou by Mosavo

“A long time ago, in the ancient deserts of Arabia, there was a legendary kingdom known as Agrabah. Here, a rich and powerful sultan prepared to marry his daughter Jasmine off to the highest bidder. Meanwhile, a peasant boy named Aladdin came across a magical lamp that contained a genie that would grant him three wishes. One day at the market, Aladdin watched the princess perform a beautiful dance. Jasmine’s movements were so graceful that he was certain she floated in the air. Aladdin was completely enamored with her grace and beauty and he desired her so much that he used one of his three precious wishes to make himself a rich prince. But Jasmine was not impressed with his riches and jewels. In a time when gold bought wives, Jasmine refused to be someone’s prize.”

Big Bad Wolf, based on multiple ancient folktales.

Performance, Choreography and Costume by Alex Ansari
Music: Big Bad Wolf by The Heavy

“One villain has stalked through history, tormenting men, women, children and… grandmothers for centuries. In the beginning he was just known by one name, Fenir, while he hunted Norse gods. We all know this creature. we have faced this fear. The wolf, but not just any wolf, the Big Bad Wolf. He is cunning, carnal, the ultimate predator, and his only motivation throughout history is to get his meal. It doesn’t matter if the meal is a little girl in a red hood, a comfy matriarch in a bed, a boy lost in the woods or a pig or even three. Once he’s set his eyes on you, there is no escape.

The wolf is so big, so bad that philosophers believe he really represents the darkness of night and his ferocious hunt is the night swallowing the day. You may have heard a tale where the wolf gets it in the end, but we know our mother’s just tell us those happy endings so we can sleep at night. The truth is, he is unstoppable. His hunger is unquenchable. He’ll use any trick and break any rule. The wolf is on the hunt, looking for what he wants and what he wants is you.”

Anansi, based on an African folktale, author unknown.

Performance, Choreography and Costume by Kelly Bratz
Music: Oceans of Time by Ninja Tracks

“Anansi, the Spider, is one of the great folk heroes of the world. He is a rogue, a mischief maker, wise and lovable. He is the spirit of rebellion; one who can baffle the Devil.

One day death came for Anansi’s father as he comes for all creatures and Death attempted to poison Anansi’s father. To prevent his father’s death, Anansi gave him an antidote that granted him eternal life. This angered Death who decided to make Anansi his next victim.

Anansi was no easy task. He ran, hid, and tricked Death day in and day out. Eventually Anansi realized that Death couldn’t climb, and began making his home in the highest corners he could find. This knowledge has been passed from spider to spider and has ensured this species success.

So remember if you have spiderwebs on your ceiling, run. Death is near……..”

Ugly Duckling, based on The Ugly Duckling by Hans Christian Andersen.

Performance, Choreography and Costume by Lindsey Morgan
Music: Beautiful by The Detroit Soul Band

“The ugly duckling is the story of a baby bird that hatched in a nest of ducklings. From the very beginning it was painfully obvious that this baby bird was different from the others. She was so awkward and, well, ugly, she was relentlessly made fun of by all the other animals in the lake and nearby farm.

They teased her endlessly for being so large, she had funny shaped beak, she was clumsy and her feathers were just so funny looking. The poor ugly duckling was sad and lonely and often played by herself until one spring day she spotted her reflection in the pond. At last she had fully matured, and to her surprise and to the surprise of all the other fowl inhabitants she had grown into a beautiful white swan. She was not an ugly duckling at all, but the prettiest bird in the lake! Soon after, a flock of wild swans flew by and the not so ugly duckling took to the sky with them and lived happily ever after with her new swan family.”

Little Mermaid, based on The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Andersen.

Performance, Choreography and Costume by Anastasia Timina
Music: Dead In The Water by Ellie Goulding

“As the first few rays of sunlight pierced over the morning horizon, the little mermaid glanced between the dagger in her hand and the prince slumbering next to his future bride. Her time was up. Her legs, once the object of her desires, now hurt and burned. She longed for the familiarity of her fin but the idea of plunging that dagger through her sweet prince was unbearable. She loved him.

From the moment she laid eyes on him as he floated clinging to the wreckage above her she loved him. All she could think of was his face as she pulled him out of the ship’s wreckage that fateful day. After pulling him safely to shore she spent as much time as possible watching him slumber. But when he awoke, it was not the little mermaid that he saw because she swam away as the others approached. It was another woman from the nearby town, and it was that woman that the prince thought he owed his life to, so it was her that he vowed to marry.

So smitten with love, the little mermaid made a deal with the sea witch so she could be a part of his world. She gave away her gorgeous fin for legs and gave up her voice for the chance to meet him. She was so happy to have done this and so glad when he found her and took her in. How lovely the many hours they had spent together were, him telling tales and her listening, mute. If she could have, she would have told him of the curse said that if he was to ever marry another, the dawn of the following day would be her last.

But she did have a way to break the curse and save her life. To put things back the way they were and return to her life underwater, all she had to do was kill the prince, her prince, her love. No, the curse was hers to bear and she was the one that made the deal with the witch.

On the day the prince was to marry the other woman, the mermaid jumped into the water from the prince’s wedding ship. But there was no splash, and no sound because the only thing that remained was sea foam, gently floating on the ocean.”

Hansel and Gretel, based on Hansel and Gretel by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm.

Performance, Choreography, Costumes by Jordan Anderson & Clayton Woodson
Music: Entanglement by Joshua Starmer

“Everyone knows the story of Hansel and Gretel, where they are kidnapped by a witch who wants to eat them, and Gretel saves the day by pushing the witch into the oven instead. Ever since that day they’ve been very busy with new adventures. They’ve been in an opera, they’ve been on TV, they’ve even been on Sesame Street. Gretel is one of the first fairy tale heroines, but that story wasn’t the first time she had saved Hansel.

Their father the woodcutter’s abusive wife never liked the kids because they ate too much. The two of them were always so hungry because they were constantly playing and climbing in the woods. Hansel, always the eager one, often got himself into situations that Gretel had to save him from.

One day they were in the forest looking for wood for their father when Hansel discovered an enormous spider web. After checking that there were no spiders there to eat them, Hansel climbed up into the web and enticed Gretel to join him. They climbed and climbed until Hansel got all tangled up and couldn’t get back down by himself.”

“All stories must come to an end and so must our showcase. Fairy Tales aren’t just silly stories. They each represent lessons or morals that are often timeless. I’m sure you’re all thinking to yourselves, what could be the moral of this showcase? What’s the lesson learned here?

The lesson learned here is you won’t believe what you can accomplish so long as you are willing to start at the beginning and have fun while you work hard.”

The Story Teller
Kimi Hugli

See the other Student Showcases

See the student Show Off NIghts