Comedy, zany antics part of this weekend's 'Fractured Fairy Tales'
A 2-year-old performing arts school is presenting an original show this weekend.
The Monroe School of the Performing Arts will stage the musical comedy “Fractured Fairy Tales” at 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the River Raisin Centre for the Arts, 114 S. Monroe St. All tickets are $5 each. For tickets, visit www.riverraisincentre.org or call the box office at 734-242-RRCA.
The RRCA-based school began in September 2021 as a way to give middle and high school students theater experience. It runs year-round and includes public performances.
“We have six students. Most are returning, and we have two new students. We have integrated more song and dance into this session," Claire Bechard, school co-founder and instructor and RRCA associate director, said.
Also new this year is backstage work.
“For this session of classes, we have our first student, Charlotte Gossett, working backstage, instead of on stage. She will be part of our stage crew led by Tim Lewandowski during our final rehearsal and our performances,” Lisa Lewandowski, school director and instructor, said.
Lisa Lewandowski wrote the script for “Fractured Fairy Tales.”
“I would consider this a play with a musical element,” Lewandowski said. “It is a mash-up of the classic stories ‘Little Red Riding Hood’ and ‘Hansel and Gretel’ with a twist.”
Students and their roles are: Londyn Heinzerling, Gretel; Chance Woods, Hansel; Andrzej Lewandowski, the Huntsman; Eden Pollard, Big Bad Wolf; Bryson J. Goda, the Witch/Wolf; and Coralee Goda, Flamingo.
Comedy and theater references abound in the hour-long performance.
“The show is loaded with fun pop culture and musical theater references, unique interpretations of the characters and zany antics. To sum up, if it made us laugh, I put it in the script,” Lewandowski said.
"Fractured Fairy Tales" also will showcase student dancing and vocals.
“Our dance style would best be described as musical theater with a nod to show choirs,” Lewandowski said. “Our show features two musical numbers, one in each act. The first act's song is a straight rendition of an ’80s movie theme song. Our second act features a mash-up of three hit songs from Journey, the Backstreet Boys and Britney Spears. In true School of the Performing Arts’ fashion, I've rewritten the lyrics to fit our show.”
Lewandowski worked with students on vocals. Both she and Bechard led them on dances.
A longtime dancer and dancer instructor, this is Lewandowski’s first time writing a script.
“When I was in school, I really enjoyed creative writing. It was fun to be able to blend that with my love of theater,” she said. “I think there is something for everyone in this show. I think the audience will really enjoy how the personalities of our performers shine through as they bring the characters to life.”
Lewandowski enjoys working with students who love theater.
“I work with the best kids. Theater kids are often the misfits, the outcasts, sometimes the quiet kid or even the so-called weirdos. They are my people, and I love giving them a safe place to be themselves,” she said. “These kids really support each other and cheer on their peers. It's not only a class, it's a family with a touch of group therapy thrown in.”
To learn more about the Monroe School of the Performing Arts, email Bechard at bechard@riverraisincentre.org.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Comedy, zany antics part of this weekend's 'Fractured Fairy Tales'
