Renaissance Theatre, Mansfield Playhouse offering youth productions
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Plenty of youth talent will be on the stage this weekend at both the Renaissance Theatre and the Mansfield Playhouse.
Both are offering plays starting this weekend. The Ren is performing "Seussical Jr." and the Playhouse is offering "Willy Wonka Jr."
Almost 50 actors will grace the Renaissance stage, while the Playhouse has 39 in its cast.
Dauphne Maloney is the director and founder of MY Theatre at the Ren. She talked about what audiences can expect from "Seussical Jr."
"The creators of this piece took several Dr. Seuss books and made them into this lovely musical," Maloney said. "This is a lot of fun because it offers a variety of styles of music. They will leave humming."
With music, book and lyrics by Tony Award winners Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens, "Seussical Jr." features Horton the Elephant, the Cat in the Hat and everyone’s favorite Dr. Seuss characters as they’re brought to life onstage.
The Cat in the Hat narrates the story of Horton the Elephant, who discovers a speck of dust containing tiny people called the Whos. Horton must protect the Whos from a world of naysayers and dangers, and he must also guard an abandoned egg that’s been left in his care by the irresponsible Mayzie La Bird.
Although Horton faces ridicule, danger and a trial, the intrepid Gertrude McFuzz never loses faith in him. Ultimately, the powers of friendship, loyalty, family and community are challenged and emerge triumphant.
Big Walnut high schooler plays the Cat in the Hat
Alex Snodgrass, a junior at Big Walnut High School, is making the hour-long drive to play the Cat in the Hat.
Even though he's in high school, Snodgrass warmly remembers Dr. Seuss.
"I grew up with Dr. Seuss," he said. "We have a whole section on our bookshelf."
Snodgrass is making his third appearance at the Ren. He noted his grandfather used to direct there and knows Maloney well.
As a high school junior, Snodgrass is one of the older cast members, who range in age from 8 to 18.
"There's a certain level of patience you have to have," he said of working with the younger kids.
When he goes to college, Snodgrass plans to major in either musical composition or musical theater.
Cassandra Kurek is a veteran at the Renaissance, saying she has appeared in "too many (shows) to count." In addition to acting, she is handling choreography for "Seussical Jr."
"I spent a lot of my youth dancing. I get to know the kids on kind of a different level," she said of her expanded role in the production.
Kurek, a junior at Wynford High School, most recently graced the Renaissance stage in winning Miss Ohio's Outstanding Teen.
She said the title has given her "incredible opportunities" and lifelong friends while also making her more comfortable on stage.
In her youth, Kurek sometimes struggled with her self-worth. She called being named Miss Ohio's Outstanding Teen "something bigger than myself."
She plans to major in marketing and fashion merchandising in college, but she probably has a few plays left in her before then.
"The Renaissance has not seen the last of me," Kurek said.
"Seussical Jr." will be offered at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at 2:30 p.m. Sunday. In addition, there will be a sensory friendly performance at 1 p.m. Saturday. Tickets for that show are available by calling 419-522-2726.
Playhouse offering 5 chances to see new play
A few blocks away, the Mansfield Playhouse is opening its season with "Willy Wonka Jr."
Roald Dahl’s play follows enigmatic candy manufacturer Willy Wonka as he stages a contest by hiding golden tickets in five of his scrumptious candy bars. Whoever comes up with these tickets will win a free tour of the Wonka factory, as well as a lifetime supply of candy.
Four of the five winning children are insufferable brats, but the fifth is a likeable young lad named Charlie Bucket, who takes the tour in the company of his equally amiable grandfather. The children must learn to follow Mr. Wonka’s rules in the factory, or suffer the consequences.
"It pretty much follows the story of the Gene Wilder movie. It's just a shortened version," said Doug Wertz, artistic director at the Playhouse.
He said the play offers lessons.
"There are messages for each of the five (with golden tickets)," Wertz said. "You find behavior has consequences."
The cast includes ages 4 to 18, including 15 Oompa Loompas.
"It's a real nice blend of cast," Wertz said. "They do a real good job of adapting. I'm just really pleased with their behavior."
Lexington resident portrays Willy Wonka
Noah Burton portrays Willy Wonka, whom he describes as an "isolated, middle-aged man whose only friends are 3 feet tall."
Burton, who lives in Lexington, is home-schooled and attends some classes at North Central State College. The senior is making his third appearance at the Playhouse in the last year.
"I love the people here," Burton said. "They're just really fun to be around. We spend a lot of time together. Relationships are really able to grow."
Despite his recent experiences, he says he still has a lot of learn about acting.
Anthony Parker, an eighth grader at Lexington Junior High School, plays Charlie Bucket. The 14-year-old is acting in his sixth play, fourth at the Playhouse.
"You get to use your imagination a little bit," Parker said of the appeal of acting. "You can be mean in acting and not get in trouble."
He added he has made a "whole lot of friends" while acting. Some of them are the younger actors.
"They're loud when they're supposed to be quiet and quiet when they're supposed to be loud, but they're funny," Parker said.
Patrons will have plenty of opportunities to see "Willie Wonka Jr." It is being offered at 7 p.m. Sept. 9, 10, 16 and 17 and 2:30 p.m. Sept. 18.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students.
"Our mission is to provide quality entertainment at an affordable price," Wertz said. "What a great way to expose kids to live theater."
419-521-7219
Twitter: @MNJCaudill
This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Mansfield Playhouse, Renaissance Theatre both offering youth plays
