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Rapunzel and the Frog Prince at South Suburban College

Lansing resident Ellie Shunko directs the fairy tale mashup, which begins January 13

Rapunzel
Top row, from left: Pat Nevins, James Hudson, Paul Braun
Middle row: Cheryle Barham, Juniper Boerman DeYoung
Bottom row: Betty Neil, Lauren Bryant, Zachary Scalzitti
(Photo provided)
information provided by SSC Public Relations

SOUTH HOLLAND, Ill. (January 5, 2018) – The Children’s Theatre Company of South Suburban College presents Rapunzel and the Frog Prince, a uniquely comical mashup that cleverly blends the two Grimm tales into one story, crafted by playwright Michele L. Vacca. Lansing resident Ellie Shunko will direct the performance.

Performances will take place in the Kindig Performing Arts Center on South Suburban College’s main campus on Saturdays, January 13 and 20 at 11:00am and 2:00pm. Additional weekday performances will take place Tuesday through Friday, January 16 through 19, at 9:45am and 11:30am each day.

The story

Cheryle Barham of South Holland plays the local witch, Gruesomella Jones, who conjures a spell designed to make handsome Prince Beauregard (played by Zachary Scalzitti of St. John, Indiana) fall in love with the first woman he sees—Miss Jones herself. Lauren Bryant of South Holland plays Princess Rapunzel, who walks in instead. Gruesomella then turns Beauregard into a frog so he can’t marry Princess Rapunzel.

Not knowing his true identity, Rapunzel befriends the frog. Her bird-watching mother, Queen Alexandra (Betty Neil of Markham), attempts to find her daughter a proper princely husband, calling in a series of candidates—each more peculiar than the last.

The hopeful suitors are the ancient Prince Feeble and histrionic actor Steve Prince (both played by Pat Nevins of Homewood); the shy, clumsy Melvin Prince and the beat-boxing poet Leonardo (both played by James Hudson of Chicago); greaser wannabe Da Prince and the lunatic pirate Captain Dedalus Darkwater (both played by Paul Braun of Highland, Indiana).

Meanwhile, back in the forest, Gruesomella and her wacky, multilingual sidekick Laguna Loxley (Juniper Boerman DeYoung of Thornton) plot to capture Rapunzel and keep her from her friend and true love.

The production team

Rapunzel and the Frog Prince is directed by Ellie Shunko, who is also manager of the Kindig Performing Arts Center. Lighting designers are Lydia and Dominic Bellamy-Palma of Crestwood. Costumes were created by Joanna Tassin of Park Forest. Prop mistresses are Rochelle Walters of South Chicago Heights and Heather Young of Chicago. The sets were built by Pat Nevins of Homewood and Anne and Michael Begora of Hegewisch. Spinning tunes at the sound board will be Jordan Swierczyna of Robbins. The production stage manager is Angela Martin of Midlothian.

Tickets for Rapunzel and the Frog Prince are only $5 per person. Reservations for weekday shows are suggested, as some performances are sold out. For more information or to reserve tickets, call the 24/7 box office voicemail line: 708-210-5741. Leave your name and phone number, and someone will return your call. You may also reserve tickets by e-mail at [email protected].

South Suburban College is located at 15800 State Street in South Holland, Illinois, between Sibley Boulevard and 159th Street. Free parking is available.

 

Melanie Jongsma
Melanie Jongsma
Melanie Jongsma grew up in Lansing, Illinois, and believes The Lansing Journal has an important role to play in building community through trustworthy information.