Interview: Puppets Bring Playfulness to CATCO's HANSEL AND GRETEL

CATCO's upcoming production of "Hansel and Gretel" is using puppetry to tell the story of the Grimm brothers' classic tale of teamwork.

But it's not just the titular characters who are learning a bit about working together during this production, said Joe Bishara, CATCO's associate producing director and the director of the play. In fact, the actors themselves get to learn about the value of partnership as they strive to convey this literary staple on stage using puppets.

"For actors that are learning how to do puppetry, it can be very difficult," Bishara said. "It is really neat ... because really, Hansel and Gretel, they wouldn't have made it through this ordeal without teamwork, so now it is the ultimate test of teamwork with only two people ... This is problem solving at its finest, not only to have the storyline get through to kids -- there's always a solution to a problem -- but also for the two young actors who are playing the roles."

Taking on the roles of Hansel and Gretel, as well as additional supporting characters, are Colby Tarrh and Madison Rose Wilson, two CATCO acting apprentices.

Bishara said it has been a learning process for the actors to master the intricacies of performing with the puppets that are used to portray the children for which the play is named.

"I actually think the story lends itself quite well because the children are the main focus of the story, so it makes sense to have the actors use the puppets to portray Hansel and Gretel," Bishara said. "The actors have been working really hard on this, so some of the things that are really difficult, they are going to make look really easy."

[View the "Hansel and Gretel" play guide]

In addition to the story's message of teamwork and perseverance, Bishara said he hopes audiences of all ages take away a sense of inspiration and a desire to learn more about the art of performance.

"What I hope it does is it lights the spark of imagination for some of these kids," he said. "I hope that it makes people have an interest in learning about puppetry. I don't think there are a lot of companies in town that are utilizing puppetry to tell their stories, so I am hoping that that is what it will do. It will make people get interested about it."

"Hansel and Gretel" is set to be performed March 11 - 20 at the Van Fleet Theatre within the Columbus Performing Arts Center.

Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children and are available for purchase at the door or at the Ohio Theatre Ticket Office, located at 39 S. State St. They are also available through Ticketmaster or via phone by calling 614-469-0939.

Show times and more information can be found on CATCO's website.

The Columbus Performing Arts Center is located at 549 Franklin Ave.