FACT (Friends Always Creating Theatre) in their 5th New York season are presenting a new twist to an old fairy tale by updating the famous brother & sister, Hansel & Gretel and putting the action of this world-famous story in the heart of Manhattan.
And, in the heart of New York City at Times Square is where "A Hansel & Gretel Christmas" will be seen for 10 weeks only playing every Saturday at 1:00pm at the
Roy Arias Stage II, 300 West 43rd Street, 4th Floor.
Written and Directed by
Jack Dyville, this one hour play without intermission is ideal for children age 5 and above and all the adults that wish to accompany them to the theatre. Assistant Director is
Vicki Oceguera with Paige Strothmann, stage manager, Lora Jackson, costumer and
B. Michael Quale and Kevin Duttenheffner, set design. Associate Producer/House Manager is
David Gillam Fuller.
According to production notes, "It is CHRISTMAS 2013, and the famous Fairy Tale has been re-set in NEW YORK CITY. Dad is out of work and Hansel & Gretel's Selfish Stepmother wants nothing more for Christmas than to rid the house of these two children. She decides to take them off to Manhattan and lose them among the throngs of Holiday Shoppers, but they are befriended by a 'silly Macy's Elf", an old Gingerbread Lady who talks to herself and a 'Just-The-Facts-type policeman', Officer Billows! There's No Evil Witch, after all it's CHRISTMAS TIME.and certainly NO VIOLENCE. Perfect for Children 5 yrs and older and for Every Adult, who enjoys a Wonderful Family Play with morals and lessons and laughs!!!"
Bringing the youngsters to life will be Barry Sheppard as Hansel and
Mary Adams as Gretel. Sheppard is from Livonia Michigan. He is a recent graduate of Maggie Flanaigan Studio, and an Eastern Michigan University graduate. Some of his favorite roles were Charles in The Lark and Lawrence in Home Free. Regional: Sweeney Todd, Little Shop of Horrors, Jesus Christ Superstar and Annie. Adams is a NJ native. She sang the National Anthem at a 2013 NBA Nets game at the Prudential Center, which was aired on the YES Network. She has appeared on Showtime's "Nurse Jackie", in a leading role of NYFA film, "Lori", and in NJ productions as Dorothy, "The Wizard of Oz" and Belle, "Beauty and the Beast". She played headstrong Ariel in "The Little Mermaid", and sassy, Gloria Thorpe in "Damn Yankees".
Portraying their loving father, Mervin will be
Richard Bull, originally from Maryland, and has performed in New York and regional musical
Theater Productions since 2004. Off-Off Broadway: THE BONUS ARMY by
David Epstein and
Al Carmines at Judson Memorial Church. Recent regional credits include: TEDDY AND ALICE (Elihu Root) at Shadow Lawn Stage in Monmouth, NJ; CATS (Skimbleshanks) at The Player's Guild of Leonia, NJ; 42ND ST. (Abner Dillon/Ensemble) with Jersey Shore Entertainment. National Tour: MIRACLE ON 34TH ST, (Judge/Mr. Gimbel/ D
R. Rogers). The selfish-stepmother, Priscilla is portrayed by Julia Menn who is thrilled to be working with FACT again, after portraying a twisted carnival owner this past summer for their staged reading The Song of Eddie King. She also had the privilege of portraying Rosalind in Shakespeare's As You Like It at The Narrows Botanical Garden - Brooklyn's premiere outdoor Shakespeare venue, with Act Out! Productions. Some other favorite roles include:
Lucille Ball, The Faerie Queene, a baseball playing Holy Cow, a prostitute out for revenge, a doctor's wife, and the girlfriend of
Errol Flynn.
Also featured will be Joris deGraff as Snowflake, a silly yet dedicated Macy's Santaland Elf, Wendy Lararus as the Gingerbread Lady who seems to often talk to herself and Gus Ferrari as a 'Just-The-Facts'type' policeman, Officer Billows. Standby include;
Vicki Oceguera, Chapman Ridel.
Tickets are available at 1-866-811-4111 or on line at https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/pr/927465.
