Holding court with a princess
TWN's Storytime with a Princess runs through July 14
BY MARY LANCASTER INDEPENDENT WRITER
What child would not love to hear their favorite fairy tales read to them by a beautiful princess? That fantasy comes true in "Storytime with a Princess" staged by the Theatre Workshop of Nantucket and presented for kids two to 11 years of age.

Photo by ROB BENCHLEY Caitlin Wiater takes children through their paces with fairy tale theater experience.

With a castle for a backdrop, the lovely princess portrayed by Caitlin Wiater wearing a sparkly, poofy gown and befitting crown, will read "Rumplestiltskin," "Cinderella," "Rapunzel" and "Beauty and the Beast" at Bennett Hall on Centre Street, Mondays through July 14 with performances at 2 and 5 p.m. The show opened June 23 with a cast of 12 children.

Wiater, a member of the TWN Resident Company who is here for the season, has reworked slight adaptations to the classic fairy tales written last year by company member Tiffany Page and added a few nuances of her own. The stories are about a half-hour in length and are narrated one per performance. Prior to curtain time, the cast of children attend a one-hour workshop where they run through the story, practice their stage positions and learn about stage direction.

The cast members wear costumes from the TWN inventory and are made-up for their roles by company member Joe Gilmore.

"Mustaches and lipstick," said Wiater. "For many kids it is their first introduction to theater. For the older kids, it gives them an opportunity to use their skills in a different way."

A golden ticket is $25 and admits children to the pre-performance workshop to star in the show. A regular ticket for $12 allows children in the audience to become part of the royal court. The audience court participates by assisting with story effects. For example, Wiater said if she reads "The community was abuzz with excitement," the court makes buzzing bee sounds. This way, every child attending is drawn into the world of theater and possibly, the company hopes, will become smitten and continue to be involved with local stage productions.

Tickets may be purchased on line at www.theatreworkshop.com or by calling TWN at 228-4305. See page 31 for more theater. I