A play put on by Petersburg’s community theater troupe opens tonight. The Snow White Variety Show is a new take on the fairy tale.
That’s why the opening scene is a little unexpected: a polished woman in pumps and a blazer, notecards and a microphone in hand.
She’s the host of a TV show: “Real Talk with Fairytale Legends.” Today’s guests are the Seven Dwarves. She’s getting their distinct versions of the classic story, except that the dwarves are anything but classic.
There’s Wordy, dressed in a Shakesperian jacket, with a feather in his cap. When the host asks him how the tale of Snow White started, he says, “Twas deep upon a midwinter’s eve, when thus our story beganuth.”
He’s eventually joined by Rowdy, who looks a little like a poor man’s Axel Rose. He debates Wordy’s version of events, down to the weather.
“Snow man, it was MID WINTER! This wasn’t some like, peaceful, sleepful snowfall, this was a CRAZY BLIZZARD! It was EPIC!” he says.
There’s also Nerdy, Weepy, Creepy, Howdy, and…Bob. He’s a comedian. He attempts some standup.
“So I just flew in from New York, and now my arms are SO TIRED.”
The talk show is happening stage right. Over on the other side of the stage, there are the “fairytale players.” They’re actors hired for the TV show to act out the sometimes contradictory narration by the dwarves.
The evil stepmother calls the huntsman over. “Come hither, hunter!”
He obliges, but corrects her. “The name’s not Hunter, it’s Huntsman. James Huntsman.”
Tiffany Glass directs the play. I interviewed her in the final days of rehearsal. She said this play was an easy choice – kid friendly, lots of laughs, and an ending that’s atypical, but still happy.
Listen here:
The production has had its hitches. Glass said she found out just days before opening night that a cast member wouldn’t be able to perform. But now the “community” in this community theater production extends beyond Mitkof Island. The troupe is boating a former Mummer over from Wrangell last-minute to fill the role. As Glass says – the show must go on.
The community can see The Snow White Variety Show Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at the Wright Auditorium. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are ten dollars.
