Theater at Monmouth's THE FOOL OF THE WORLD AND THE FLYING SHIP Opens Tonight

Theater at Monmouth's Family Show opens tonight, June 27 at 7:30 p.m. with a production of The Fool of the World and the Flying Ship. Adapted by Dawn McAndrews, this classic Russian fairy tale encourages the power of believing in yourself, the value of friendship, and the importance of following your dreams.

Few people had faith in the Fool of the World. But the Fool of the World was determined to prove everyone wrong. When the Tsar declares he will marry his daughter to the man who brings him a flying ship, the Fool sets off on an adventure to change his life.

"For me, the best thing about adapting fairy tales for a modern audience is wrestling with their lopsidedness," says Ian Carlsen, who is making his directing debut at TAM this summer. "In this re-telling, we hope to show you that the secret to the Fool's success is not in possessing incredible skill or power. Instead, his success comes from facing each event with an open mind, an open heart, and surrounding himself with people who believe in him."

Each summer, TAM produces a Family Show adapted from a children's literature classic for young people and the young at heart. Previous productions have included adaptations of Roald Dahl's James and the Giant Peach, Antoine de Saint-Exupery's The Little Prince, and Margery Williams' The Velveteen Rabbit.

The Fool of the World and the Flying Ship features Leighton Samuels as Sergei/ Chamberlain/ Hopper/ Woodsman, Michael Dix Thomas as Boris/ Tsar/ Archer/ Strawman, Andy Blaustein as The Fool, Erica Murphy as Narrator/ Sophia, and Olivia Williamson as Mother/ Listener/ Glutton. Set design Stacey Koloski, costumes by Michelle Handley, lights by J.M. Pratt, and sound by Rew Tippin.

Originally published in Andrew Lang's The Yellow Fairy Book in 1894, The Fool of the World and the Flying Ship was made into a stop-motion animated television film in the United Kingdom in 1991. A book-on-tape version was released in 1991 featuring Robin Williams, portions of the tale are also featured in Terry Gilliam's 1988 film The Adventures of Baron Munchausen.

Performance Calendar: OPENING 6/27 at 7:30 p.m.; additional performance dates 7/4, 7/11, 7/18, 7/25, 8/4, 8/8, 8/11, 8/15, 8/21 at 1:00 p.m. Running time is 50 minutes. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for children. Discounts available for groups of 10 or more. For calendar and reservations, please contact the TAM Box Office at 207.933.9999 or visit www.theateratmonmouth.org.

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