Fairy tale villains face day in court
Once upon a time, the stories told only one side. Now it’s your turn to hear the evidence. As you step inside the courtroom, you’ll see some of your favorite fairy tale characters finally get their day in court.
Fairy tales have always given us heroes and villains, but have you ever wondered what might happen if the villains finally had a chance to tell their side of the story? That’s exactly what makes “Fairy Tale Courtroom” so much fun, and I think audiences are going to enjoy seeing these familiar characters from a completely different perspective.
We’ll transform the Historic Roxy Theatre into a courtroom Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.
We’ll put two of storybook’s best-known villains — the Big Bad Wolf and the Wicked Witch — on trial.
I’ve found myself looking at these familiar villains a little differently, and I think you might, too.
This comedy show will have children and adults laughing all the way through. There’s something special about seeing an audience of all ages enjoying the same story together.
One of the things I like most about this production is that the audience doesn’t just watch the story. They become part of it by serving as the jury.
The charge before the court is this: “The Big Bad Wolf and the Wicked Witch have been caught frolicking from fairy tale to fairy tale, wreaking havoc as they try to prevent the general public from living happily ever after.”
As members of the jury, you’ll hear firsthand accounts through testimony and flashback scenes from characters such as Snow White, Dorothy, Sleeping Beauty, the Three Little Pigs, Little Red Riding Hood and many others, including the Witch and the Wolf themselves.
The jury must decide: Is the Big Bad Wolf truly guilty of terrorizing the Three Little Pigs and Little Red Riding Hood?
Did the Wicked Witch deserve her fate, or has history been written by the winners?
That’s one of the reasons I enjoy live theater so much. No two audiences are exactly alike, and every jury may reach a different conclusion. I think that’s part of what makes each performance unique.
Productions like this don’t happen without talented people who are willing to share their time, and we’re fortunate to have Leigh Mayer directing this one. Mayer, a Russellville school employee, is finishing her degree in Secondary English Arts at the University of Alabama.
She has been involved in community theater since she was young and has acted in and directed numerous productions. Most recently, she appeared as Sheriff Billy Jerk in the Historic Roxy Theatre’s production of “Murder in the Magnolias.”
Shown from left are Reese Mayer as Dorothy, and Adriana Mojica as the Big Bad Wolf.
“I am thrilled to be able to bring ‘Fairy Tale Courtroom’ to life here at the Historic Roxy Theatre,” Mayer said.
“This community has welcomed us ‘Northerners’ with open arms, and I couldn’t be happier to be a part of it.”
Watching this production come together has reminded me just how much talent we have in our community. I hope you’ll come and spend an evening with us and enjoy the results of everyone’s hard work.
Justice has never been this enchanting or hilarious.
