VITAL THEATRE COMPANY, is pleased to announce their next Children's Theatre production, "THE SWINEHERD", an adaptation of the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale by Morna Murphy Martell. Director of Vital Children's Theatre, BRUCE MERRILL heads up the production. Performances begin September 23rd and run Saturdays only at 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. through November 4th. Vital Theatre Company is located at 432 West 42nd Street, 3rd floor, between 9th and 10th Avenues.
“THE SWINEHERD” tells the story of a mechanical minded Princess who lives her life only caring about materialistic things in the world. Her selfishness towards others leads her to be disowned by her parents, abandoned by the Prince who wanted to marry her, and enslaved by a wicked witch. What she learns on her journey back home, is that happiness is born out of love for others, not love for objects.
Director Bruce Merrill has helmed "The Selfish Giant," "Aesop's Fables" (which he co-wrote with the cast), and oversaw the production of "Unwanted: The Very Ugly Duckling"; all with Vital. He has previously served as Artistic Director for Penisula Youth Theatre, Education Director for California Theatre Center, and spent two years touring as an Actor/Director for Missoula Children's Theatre. Other New York directing credits include Werewolf in Town, On My Sister's Pass-Port, and the staged reading of a new musical -in-progress, Temps.
Featured in the cast are MONI WOWERIES, TAMARA HAMPTON WRIGHT, RAYMOND T. BOOK II, LISA ROCK, REGINALD MENESES, PATRANILA JEFFERSON and JENNIFER RONALD.
Review
Off-Off-Broadway Review
Out of the mouths of babes
The Swineherd
Adapted from Hans Christian Andersen by Morna Murphy Martell
Directed by Bruce Merrill
Vital Children's Theatre
432 W. 42 3rd fl. (592-4508)
Non-union production (closes Nov. 4)
Review by Doug DeVita
Children are the most honest audiences in the world - you can't fool them, you can't underestimate them, and they in turn let you know in no uncertain terms what they like and don't like, often without saying a word.
At a recent performance of the Vital Children's Theatre production of Hans Christian Andersen's "The Swineherd," adapted with sophisticated elan by Morna Murphy Martell, the youngsters in the audience were well-behaved and remained absorbed for the duration of the hour-long performance. But if they weren't jumping up and down from enforced boredom, they weren't jumping up and down in excitement either, which was a fairly accurate barometer for the production itself.
Andersen's classic morality tale concerns a mechanical-minded Princess who lives her life only caring about materialistic things in the world. Her selfishness toward others leads her to be disowned by her parents, abandoned by the Prince who wanted to marry her, and enslaved by a wicked witch. What she learns on her journey back home is that happiness is born out of love for others, not love for objects.
Martell's script is laced with witty double entendres and has more than its share of genuinely funny lines and situations, but some of the references are pitched a little too high over the average youngster's head. In addition, she spends an inordinate amount of time setting up the premise, and then rushes through the rest of the show, making the all-important transformation of the spoiled princess not quite believable.
Bruce Merrill's direction was likewise uneven. Overall, he kept the production well-paced, and if it never quite exploded with the infectious high spirits of some of his previous work for Vital, it was never dull - and it was frequently beguiling. Simplicity was the hallmark of the production, from Joseph Hoffman Carter's elegant sets, Scott Cronick's colorfully stylish costumes and Martin Miller's uncomplicated lighting, to the performances of the cast. Particularly delightful was Lisa Rock as both the
Wicked Witch and a hilariously surly Palace Guard. Reginald Meneses was a thoroughly charming Prince/Swineherd, and Jennifer Ronald made a deliciously ditzy Lady-in-Waiting to the Princess. These three gave the production the shot in the arm it needed whenever they appeared on stage, which thankfully was frequently. Less successful were the performances of Raymond T. Book II, Patranila Jefferson, Moni Woweries, and Tamara Hampton Wright, who all seemed to be working too hard to find the lightness of touch they were aiming for. But whatever its shortcomings, Vital's The Swineherd
nevertheless scored where it counted most: with its prime audience. Any production that can keep the respectful attention of an audience of 5- to 8-year-olds has to be counted a success. That, combined with Vital's own respect for their audience, continues to prove that the work that they do is, well, vital.
Box Score:
Writing: 1
Directing: 1
Acting: 1
Set: 1
Costumes: 1
Lighting/Sound: 1
Copyright 2000 Doug DeVita
West Side Spirit
October 19, 2000
KIDS PICK OF THE WEEK
Go Whole Hog
Hans Christian Andersen never wore rollerblades.
Nor did the title character in his nineteenth-century fairytale, "The Swineherd." However, when Prince Bacchus, disguised to catch a glimpse of his beloved princess, proclaims that he skated through the castle doors in The Vital Theatre Company's production, no one blinks an eye. Chock this up to a clever, amusing, modern-day rendition of the classic tale, directed by Bruce Merrill, whose details make the narrative applicable and the performance a pleasure.
The plot, as told by both authors, involves the spoiled, greedy Princess Euterpe, played by Moni Woweries, who only finds happiness from expen-sive accessories and mechanical toys. Her selfishness caused her to be disowned by her parents, abandoned by a Prince who wantes her hand in marriage and enslaved by a wicked witch (Lisa Rock). Eventually she learns that true happiness lies in love for other, not love for material things, and that it takes more than money to measure an object's worth.
Though the audience was small, the cast per-formed as thought the house was full. The princess crawled into the bleachers between kids to hide from her abusive master, while the evil witch, moles and all, asked the crowd to help find her naughty slave. (Warning: if you're squeamish, beware of the front row!)
Of course the theatre - cozy and small, with a disproportionately large stage - not only encourages such interaction but makes viewers feel like a part of the show. And the stage set, while simple and sparse, draws more attention to the performers themselves, and to their characters: the disin terested Queen is con- stantly at work on her easel to the left, while the Princess bounces up and down on the single throne in the center of the stage.
Now Hans Christian Andersen may not have foreseen the particular guises or character exchanges Merrill maneuvers. Nor would he have been familiar with Linda Imperial's 1997 ballad "All By Myself" that blared when the Princess was disowned. Rest assured, however, that the creative genius would've definitely approved.
- Courtney Zofness
Back Stage
"The Swineherd"
Adaptation by Morna Murphy Martell of Hans Christian Andersen Tale
At Vital Theatre CompanyReviewed by Carolyn Albert for Theatre Reviews Limited
If you want instant feedback about your play, invite an audience of youngsters. Children or teens who have not been coached to sit still and not move can offer and immediate and honest response: thumbs are up or down - no waffling.
So in reviewing children's theater, I try to position myself where I can see at least some of the junior attendees. They signal script problems by a sudden need to go to the bathroom, fidgeting, talking, or requests for candy or something to drink - or worst of all, just nodding off and going to sleep.
Actors in kidrama are usually not the most experienced. Just about every error taught in acting class can be seen on these stages. Many members of Actors Equity acquired fledgling New York stage experience in kiddy theater before joining Equity. Because cash remuneration is usually negligible, their pay is experience. Low admission prices do not always guarantee a bad show. Although most children's theaters are small with makeshift props and costumes, occasionally, what they lack in externals, they make up in heart and enthusiasm. Such a troupe is Vital Children's Theatre.
"The Swineherd," adapted by Morna Murphy Martell from a Hans Christian Andersen tale, tells how a selfish and materialistic princess learned to appreciate true values before she could marry her handsome prince. The princess must suffer some hardships and learn a few lessons, all verbalized at length. Values were mostly wholesome. Direction by Bruce Merrill showed the cast been well-rehearsed and knew their lines The mostly-youthful cast was pleasant to look at. Moni Woweries (Princess) and Reginald Meneses (Prince) played cutely and believably together. In supporting roles, Patranila Jefferson is a promising beauty who seemed quite at ease on the stage; Jennifer Ronald was sweetly expressive; Lisa Rock was animated in two contrasting parts that called for great exaggeration; she filled the bill. Joseph Hoffman's scenic design (aided by Hope Carter) was minimal. Costume designer Scott Cronick did well on what appeared to be a meager budget.
Both kids and parents applauded heartily at the end of the show. Most of the actors waited in the lobby to greet the audience with chocolate - a nice touch that might help remind small children that it's only a play.
[Note: Seats are comfortable with good sightlines. A clean, well-situated
lavatory is available. Theater is not wheelchair accessible.]
"THE SWINEHERD" Produced by Vital Children's Theatre: Stephen Sunderlin, Artistic Director;
Scott C. Embler, Producing Director; Laura M. Stevens, Marketing Director.
CAST: Raymond T. Book, Patranila Jefferson, Reginald Meneses, Lisa Rock, Jennifer Ronald, Moni Woweries, Tamara Hampton Wright.
Theater: Vital Theatre, 432 West 42nd Street on Theatre Row; 3rd Floor (2-flight walkup).
Schedule: Saturdays only, 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. thru November 4, 2000.
Tickets: All seats $10. Reserve at 212/592-4508.
Audience: As young as can sit for one hour. Two four-year-olds at show this reviewer attended did not show signs of restlessness.
Theatre Reviews Limited
Many members of Actors Equity acquire fledgling New York stage experience in kiddy theatre before joining Equity. Because cash remuneration is usually negligible, their pay is experience. An audience of kids offers prime feedback. Youngsters respond immediately and honestly: thumbs are up or down—no waffling.
While most children’s theatres are small, with makeshift props and costumes, what they lack in externals they often make up in heart and enthusiasm. Such a troupe is Vital Children’s Theatre.
“The Swineherd,” adapted by Morna Murphy Martell from a Hans Christian Andersen tale, tells how a selfish and materialistic princess learns to appreciate true values before she may marry her handsome prince. Values are mostly wholesome. The direction by Bruce Merrill shows the cast has been well rehearsed.
The mostly youthful cast is pleasant to look at. Moni Woweries (the Princess) and Reginald Meneses (the Prince) play cutely and believably together. In supporting roles, Patranila Jefferson is a promising beauty, Jennifer Ronald is sweetly expressive, and Lisa Rock is animated in two contrasting parts. Costume designer Scott Cronick did well on a meager budget.
Both kids and parents applauded heartily.
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