imaginary beast Sets 2015 Winter Panto

imaginary beasts bound into town this January with a ribbiting tale of wonder when they refashion another classic fairy tale into a fantasy of amphibious proportions. The classic Tale of the Frog Prince receives the full Panto treatment when the beasts return to the Boston Center for the Arts Plaza Black Box Theatre for their fourth year running with their traditional annual Winter Panto. Audiences of all ages will want to hop on over to catch the fun.

The Book of Oracles predicts the kingdom is doomed unless the unruly Princess Aurelia (Erin Eva Butcher) marries before the looming total eclipse of the sun! Meanwhile, our hero, Prince Friedrich (Beth Pearson) is on his way to woo and possibly wed the wild Aurelia when an ill-fated encounter with a wicked water nymph (Artistic Director Matthew Woods) turns him into a frog! Now, in order to bring about a traditional "hoppy" ending, the entire Kingdom - from Her Royal Majesty (IRNE award nominee Joey C. Pelletier) down to an unlikely pet skunk (IRNE award winner Mikey DiLoreto) - must band together and take a giant leap of faith, or be caught in the clammy clutches of the wicked nixie forever!

A beloved tradition in the United Kingdom dating back to the Victorian Age, Pantomimes are produced yearly in every county in the UK around the holidays. imaginary beasts is one of the only companies to produce a yearly Panto in the USA. For those who have never seen a Panto, don't be fooled by the name! Far from the silent machinations of Marcel Marceau, Panto is a raucous send up of social mores and popular and local culture. A forefather of Vaudeville, Panto requires audience feedback and spirited routines to bring about a happy ending.

Each year, the beasts re-imagine a classic story in a topsy-turvy world-full of puns, popular music, and topical references. The ensemble writes the script, which can change on a nightly basis depending on what the hot topics of the day are and who is in the audience. A celebration of the year passed, Panto has become a local cult-favorite for families seeking a little post-holiday cheer. Audience members of all ages will find something to love.

Add to the world-premiere script the lighting of IRNE award-winning designer Christopher Bocchiarro and the delicious concoctions of IRNE award-winning costumer Cotton Talbot-Minkin and toss in the Victorian traditions of the Dame being played by a man and the Principal Boy by a young woman, and you have the recipe for a rollicking evening of theatre. In addition to the luminaries mentioned above, the production will also feature Michael Chodos, Cameron Cronin, Molly Kimmerling, Amy Meyer, Lizette Marie Morris, Bob Mussett, Kiki Samko, William Schuller, Noah Simes, Audrey Lynn Sylvia, and Michael Underhill.

Kerplop! The Tale of the Frog Prince runs at The Boston Center for the Arts Plaza Black Box Theatre from January 17 - February 7, Thursdays - Sundays, with one Wednesday performance on February 4. Show times and ticket prices vary; visit www.bostontheatrescene.comor www.imaginarybeasts.org for more information or to purchase tickets.

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