You might think you know the story of Rapunzel or Snow White, but if you go to see Columbia High School's fall play, you might want to think again. "The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon" tells these well-known stories with a twist. The show will be performed at the school, 901 Ironville Pike, at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 19, and at 2 and 7 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 20.
"This show is a mashup of all the Brothers Grimm stories," said Georgetta Kaufhold, a senior who plays multiple parts in the show. "It's classic stories with a modern twist."
Audiences will see familiar stories, such as the tale of Hansel and Gretel, along with lesser-known tales such as "The Devil and His Grandmother," said senior Douglas Sumpman.
"It's a modernized take on these stories," noted Douglas, who also plays multiple parts. "These stories are a little edgier, a little rougher around the edges than you might remember them being."
For Nyla Nell, a senior who is a member of the crew, the show appeals because it's full of comedy. "There are a lot of pop culture references and references to things in the news," she stated. "If you're up on pop culture, you'll find it hilarious."
Matthew Eyster, a senior who also plays several roles in the show, said audiences should be prepared for surprises. "You can expect a lot of laughter for sure," he remarked. "It's a very fun, very fast-paced show. You can also expect the unexpected. There are things that you are not going to see coming. And for parents or adults in the audience, I'd say pay particular attention, because there are a lot of jokes just for you."
Narrators link the various tales together in the show, and audience participation is also featured, including opportunities for the crowd to make sound effects.
To prepare for the interactive parts, the cast members often rehearsed with crew members sitting in the audience so they could hone their timing skills. For Nyla, being in the test audience was a fun job, but it was also a bit stressful. "The first time I saw the show in the audience, I could not stop laughing. Even when they took a break, I was still laughing so hard," she recalled. "I was worried, and I was thinking, 'How am I going to keep quiet when I'm backstage? I can't stop laughing.'"
Tickets for "The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon" will be available at the door. District mask and social distancing policies will be in effect during the performance.
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