BWW Reviews: Keeping Cool with Orlando Shakes' SLEEPING BEAUTY

What better way to beat the heat and have fun with the kids, than seeing Orlando Shakespeare's SLEEPING BEAUTY. Based on the classic Brothers Grimm fairy tale, Brandon Robert's version of SLEEPING BEAUTY adds a modern twist that keeps the story fresh. It's short enough to keep the young audience's attention at 45-minutes, yet the dialog is sharp enough to entertain the adults too.

Kids will love the interactive features, which have a few volunteers on-stage or screaming answers to help the cast along. The story is simple to follow: Angry evil witch puts a curse on the Princess; The teenage princess has a disagreement with her father; she pricks her finger on the spinning wheel and falls asleep for 100 years. Only the Princess's true love can wake her.

This is the first show in Orlando Shakespeare's 25th Anniversary Season. The Theatre for Young Audience series is designed to introduce kids to theater. This particular audience consisted of camp kids and families who all were having a blast. There's no need to shush the kids when they're encouraged to get involved. They will love the bubbles and references to iPhone's Siri, One Direction, and Justin Bieber.

The cast of three masterfully perform the entire show of seven roles. Joshua Roth steps up as the fretful King, then young/old Prince Lester. He has amazing storytelling ability as proven by his connection with the young audience to each of his characters. Morgan Price is the sweet motherly Queen and at the drop of a hat the evil Wartsuch. Admittedly, I did not realize both characters were played by the same actress until the final bow. Price gets an A+ for mastering the evil witch cackle. Jillian Gizzi plays the quintessential sarcastic servant as she helps the audience volunteers on and off the stage. Gizzi then transforms to the teenage Princess Rose.

Every seat is a great seat in the Goldman Theater. Directed by Patrick Braillard, SLEEPING BEAUTY runs for two more weeks until July 28th with family-friendly show times. Make it a day trip by seeing the show and hanging around Orlando Shakespeare's neighbors: the Orlando Science Center, the Orlando Museum of Art, and the Leu Gardens! Visit OrlandoShakes.org for tickets and more information.

Photo by Tony Firriolo / Jillian Gizzi as Beauty in SLEEPING BEAUTY at the Orlando Shakespeare Theater

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