Frank Goodsir says he wrote his new Hansel and Gretel play because “I wanted a play with juvenile leads” after a few Footlighters productions that put the spotlight on adult roles.
“I chose Hansel and Gretel after reading several versions,” he said on Monday. Not that audiences should expect to hear the exact story they grew up with.
“It’s a very short story, so I had to add a lot,” he laughed. Where the original tale had one (very) wicked witch, the Hansel and Gretel now in the final stages of rehearsal has four.
With nearly four decades of writing and producing plays, the retired ARES teacher said his long history with Creston’s theatrical community gives him an important advantage.
“I often write roles for specific actors, even if I am not sure they will end up taking on the part,” he said. “If the actor I have in mind is not participating, or is taking on another role, I have to rewrite the part. I had quite a hectic summer trying to cast this!”
Goodsir is quick to admit that times have changed since his early days, when directors were happy just to be able fill all of the roles. In the current production, which calls for about 20 children, “we actually auditioned the kids—they didn’t automatically get parts.”
His history can seem a bit haunting when he describes the experience of seeing people he taught nearly 40 years ago coming to auditions or productions, with children or even grandchildren in tow.
The cast of 40 has been rehearsing intently—a dozen songs and choreographed dances take a lot of dedication. Goodsir expressed his gratitude for musical director Simone Wiebe and choreographer Kate Webb.
“They are both so great with kids.”
The songs, he says, are mostly familiar ones—primarily from the ‘50’s—but the selection also includes a few more modern numbers.
What should the audience expect?
“The set is, once again, fantastic. Jason Smith puts his heart into them, and it shows. He has really found his niche in theatre and we are lucky to have him,” he said. Audiences will be very pleased to learn that Smith has been cast as the wickedest of the witch roles!
Also in starring roles are Caleb Wells as Hansel, Andrea Daignault as Gretel and Devon Coward as the woodcutter.
Keeping all the performers engaged throughout the rehearsal process is a challenge for any director. Goodsir said one of his strategies is to encourage, at least in the early going, actors to ad lib.
“I write the script, but all the players have freedom to ad lib to develop their characters. I do demand that they keep the language clean, though!”
Expect a few twists—the ending might possibly have been re-jigged!—and a new piece of equipment for the stage is sure to grab the audience’s attention.
Hansel and Gretel runs on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Nov. 30 – Dec. 2 at Prince Charles Auditorium. Tickets are available at Black Bear Books, Kingfisher Used Books and Fly in the Fibre, and are selling briskly.
“I am very pleased with how rehearsals are going,” Goodsir said. “It should be great fun!”