Bonstelle Theatre Presents THE SNOW QUEEN, Now thru 12/9

The Bonstelle Theatre will open an adaptation by Tyler J. Monroe of one of Hans Christian Andersen's most popular fairytales, The Snow Queen, just in time for the holiday season. It runs from tonight, November 30 to December 9, 2012. This classic children's fairytale is a holiday treat, and the Bonstelle Theatre's production will include a preshow craft activity with cast members for children starting 45 minutes prior to curtain time. Paper roses and snowflakes will be made in the upstairs lobby and used by children in the audience to interact with the show.

Children's tickets are $6. Adult tickets are $12 - $15 and are available by calling the Bonstelle Theatre Box Office at (313) 577-2960, online at www.bonstelle.com, or by visiting the box office in the Hilberry Theatre located at 4743 Cass Avenue on the corner of Hancock.

The Snow Queen is a tale of a young heroine's journey to rescue a young boy named Kai from the clutches of the evil Snow Queen. The heroine, a girl named Gerda who is also Kai's best friend, must traverse through a world filled with a number of eccentric and dangerous characters to find and free Kai from the Snow Queen's spell. Using puppets, music and supernatural magic, The Snow Queen is a show that celebrates the ideals of childhood, while themes like devotion, bravery, and the triumph of love are explored throughout the story.

Hans Christian Andersen's The Snow Queen was adapted by Tyler J. Monroe in 2011, during his second year in the Dramaturgy MFA program through Harvard University. The play premiered at the American Repertory Theater in December 2011, and was directed by Allegra Libonati, who is also the guest director of the Bonstelle Theatre's production of The Snow Queen.

Hans Christian Andersen was a Danish author who became internationally known for his fairytales, some of which inspired or have been adapted into notable Disney films, such as The Little Mermaid, The Ugly Duckling, and The Emperor's New Groove.

"I was also really moved by Hans Christian Andersen's life story," said Libonati. "He was told by his mother, after his father died, that the Snow Queen had taken his father away. Later in his life, he created a story of two best friends who are separated by the Snow Queen. We watch as little Gerda, through her blind faith and deep devotion is able to find Kai at the end of the earth, and save his life. I think there is a deep message in this show, embedded in a fantastical and spectacular world."

The cast of The Snow Queen features Zee Bricker (Detroit, MI) as Robber Queen, Mackenzie Conn (Walled Lake, MI) as Snow Queen, Zyle Christian-Cook (Marcellus, MI) as Goblin, Kristin Dawn-Dumas (Detroit, MI) as Gerda, Jacqueline Fenton (Allen Park, MI) as Grandma, Katelyn Foster (Harrison Township, MI) as Rose 1, Garett Harris (Royal Oak, MI) as Prince, Sharayah Johnson (Birch Run, MI) as Flower Witch, Gaia Klotz (Midland, MI) as Swallow 1, Alexis Mabry (Grosse Pointe, MI) as Princess, Syndey Macheskey (Shelby Township, MI) as Sun, Jackson McLaskey (Mt. Clemens, MI) as Raven, Michael Meike (Clinton Township, MI) as Grandpa, Matt Miazgowicz (Dearborn, MI) as Rose 3, Brittany Michael (St. Clair Shores, MI) as Robber Girl, Jonathon Pigott (Wyandotte, MI) as Swallow 2, Aeisha Reese (Flint, MI) as Rose 2, Luke Rose (Harrison Township) as Reindeer, and Nicholas Yocum (Royal Oak, MI) as Kai.

The creative team includes Allegra Libonati (Director), Cheryl Turski (Associate Director), Michael Waldrup (Stage Manager), Fred Florkowski (Scenic Designer/Technical Director), Anthony Karpinski (Properties Master), Mary Copenhagen (Costume Designer), Samuel G. Byers (Lighting Designer), Gabriel Rice (Sound Designer), and Alexandra Stewart (Publicity Manager).

Performances on Fridays and Saturdays, tonight, November 30, December 1, December 7, and December 8, are at 8PM. Performances on Sundays, December 2, and December 9, begin at 2PM. The show on Thursday, December 6 at 10AM is sold out.

Pre-show activities begin at 7:15PM on Fridays and Saturdays and at 1:15PM on Sundays.

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