KU News Release

KU’s Theatre for Young People to present children’s fable

LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas Theatre for Young People will perform “The King Stag” at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28, at the Inge Theatre in Murphy Hall. The play is Sylvia Ashby’s adaptation of Carlo Gozzi’s 18th century fairy tale “Il Re Cervo.”

“The King Stag” was first performed in 1762 in the Italian style of comedy called “Commedia dell’arte.” The KU production is directed by Dennis Christilles, associate professor of theatre and film. Erin Neidenthal, Lawrence senior, is scenic designer; Elizabeth Banks, Sweetwater, Texas, master’s degree student, is lighting designer, and Tammy Keiser, Kansas City, Mo., master’s degree student, is costume and make-up designer. Spencer S. Lott, Lawrence junior, designed and supervised the building of the puppets used in the show. Laura Raab, violist for the production, received a bachelor’s degree in applied behavioral science from KU in spring 2008.

In the play, set far ago and long away, King Seren sets out to find a queen for his kingdom of Serendipity. With a wizard’s help, he is able to tell the true feelings of each of the young women in the kingdom. Just as he is about to give up his search for his queen, he finds out that Angelica really does love him for who he is. But the king’s prime minster, Periglio, also loves Angelica and plots to have her and the kingdom all for himself. Out on a royal hunt, Periglio traps the king’s spirit inside the body of a stag, then inhabits the body of the king. When everyone at the court questions what is wrong with the king, because of his strange new personality, the real king, disguised as an old woman, is able to reclaim his body, kingdom and his future queen.

The Kingdom of Serendipity is made of trash and junk, Christilles said. The costumes, set pieces and puppets are all made from junk that normally would be thrown away.

“The inspiration for the set is from the idea of using ‘found objects’ and the work of the artist Louise Nevelson,” he said. “The costume designs grew out of collages made of paper and trash.”

A little darker than most fairy tales, “The King Stag” provides the audience with humor and adventure but also has a deeper message that no magic can replace the wisdom of honesty and love, Christilles said.

Ashby’s adaptation, premiered at the University of New Hampshire, won the 1993 Anne Zorino Memorial Children’s Theatre Playwrighting Award.

The public performances follow five days of matinee performances for children in Lawrence and Douglas County schools.

General admission tickets for “The King Stag” are on sale in the KU ticket offices: University Theatre, 864-3982; Lied Center, 864-ARTS; and Student Union Activities, 864-7469; or online at kutheatre.com. Tickets are $10 for the public, $5 for students and $9 for senior citizens and KU faculty and staff. Visa and Mastercard are accepted for phone and online orders.

Members of the cast for the KU production are listed below by hometown, level in school, major, parents’ names, high school and role.

DOUGLAS COUNTY
From Lawrence 66049
Jordan Gouge, junior theatre/voice major, son of Kim and Teri Gouge; Lawrence Free State High School; Keno.

FINNEY COUNTY
From Holcomb 67851
Logan Walker, senior theatre and film major, son of Lynn and Cindy Walker; Holcomb High School; King Seren.

FRANKLIN COUNTY
From Wellsville 66092
Adam Luttrell, senior history major, son of Darrell and Myrna Luttrell; Olathe North High School; Leandro.

JOHNSON COUNTY
From Overland Park 66210
Cassie Hollmann, senior elementary education and dance major, daughter of Dan and Andyla Hollmann; Blue Valley North High School; Larissa.

From Overland Park 66212
Julie Bayliff, senior theatre and secondary education major, daughter of Cheryl Bayliff; Shawnee Mission West High School; Professor Magico (Parrot).

From Overland Park 66223
Debbie Diesel, junior theatre major, daughter of Mary Diesel, St. Marys High School, St. Marys, Kan.; Mistress of Shadows.

From Shawnee 66216
Lizzie Hartman, junior theatre major, daughter of William and Kimberly Hartman; Shawnee Mission Northwest High School; Old Woman.

Rebecca Ralstin, senior theatre major, daughter of James and Mary Ralstin; Shawnee Mission Northwest High School; Briggi.

From Stilwell 66085
Matthew Crooks, senior theatre and film and English major, son of Mike Crooks and Nancy Vunderlich; Blue Valley High School; Periglio.

MIAMI COUNTY
From Louisburg 66053
Brittany Barney, sophomore theatre major, daughter of Andrew and Christie Barney; Paola High School; Emmi.

MORRIS COUNTY
From Council Grove 66846
Jake Smith, sophomore theatre and English major, son of Marc and Molly Smith; Council Grove High School; Maxim.

MISSOURI
From Lee’s Summit 64063
Robert Schulte, senior theatre major, son of Richard Schulte and Cady Pembroke; Lee’s Summit High School; Truffles.

From Raymore 64083
Rochelle Herman, sophomore theatre and film major, daughter of Michael and Linda Herman; Pittsburg High School, Pittsburg, Kan.; Angelica.

OKLAHOMA
From Bixby 74008
Garrett Lawson, junior theatre/voice major, son of Robert Lawson and Desiree Jett; Bixby High School; Kovar.

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