Acorn Concludes 2nd Season Of FAIRY TALE PLAYERS Performances

In June, Acorn Productions wraps up the company's second season of performance by the "Fairy Tale Players," an ensemble of kids, teens and adults who have studied at the Acorn Acting Academy. The troupe's last production of the season is the classic fairy tale Rapunzel, adapted and directed by Acorn faculty member Stephanie Ross, who is also the Director of Drama at Massabesic High School. Acorn's version of the classic story begins with a young couple who desperately want a child. An evil enchantress Dame Gothel manipulates them into promising her their first born in exchange for all the Rampion (otherwise known as Rapunzel) vegetable they can eat . Saving the day are a delightful garden of enchanted vegetables who talk, sing, and put themselves in harm's way in order to help Rapunzel and her heroic Prince finally find their way back together. The production runs from June 3 to 19 in the Acorn Studio Theater in Westbrook, with tickets $7 for adults and $5 for kids 12 and under. Rapunzel is suitable for all ages, especially younger children who will love the antics of the garden vegetables. Call Acorn at 854-0065 or visit www.acorn-productions.org for more info or to order tickets.

Rapunzel features 9 students from the Acorn Acting Academy, ranging in age from 8 to 13, along with 2 adult actors from Acorn's company. The productions offers these young actors a chance to showcase the talents that they have been honing in Acorn's after school classes, which help children practice their acting skills in a safe and nurturing environment. The cast members come from a variety of communities in Greater Portland, and many of them have been featured in previous productions by the Fairy Tale Players. The following student actors will be appearing in Rapunzel: Joe Begos, Adrienne Cordes, Nate Jacobs and Gus Febles who reside in Westbrook, Charlotte Eisenberg and Isabella Levine, who live on Peaks Island, and Angela Moline, Joel Vantassel, and Jeremiah Vantassel from Lyman.

The second season of Fairy Tale Players is part of Acorn's new Studio Series, a year-long schedule of plays presented in the company's Acorn Studio Theater. These plays showcase the work of local playwrights and actors, allowing for a more comprehensive training program at the Acorn Acting Academy, a theater school offering classes for adults and kids. Acorn Productions is a 501(c)3 organization founded in 1998, and dedicated to increasing awareness of and participation in the performing arts by all members of the community.

CALENDAR OF PERFORMANCES

What: Rapunzel, adapted and directed by Stephanie Ross

Who: Acorn's Fairy Tale Players

When:
Friday, June 3 at 7 p.m.
Saturday, June 4 at 11 a.m. (part of Westbrook Together Days - free performance in Riverbank Park)
Sunday, June 5 at 2 p.m.

Friday, June 10 at 7 p.m.
Saturday, June 11 at 2 p.m.
Sunday, June 12 at 2 p.m.

Friday, June 17 at 7 p.m.
Saturday, June 18 at 2 p.m.
Sunday, June 19 at 2 p.m.

Where: Acorn Studio Theater, Dana Warp Mill, 90 Bridge St., Westbrook

How Much: $7 adults; $5 kids 12 and under

FMI: www.acorn-productions.org or 854-0065