Goosebumps from Mother Goose

Drama department takes a spin on popular Mother Goose nursery rhymes

The drama department’s children’s show this year, “Mother Goose’s Really Fabulous Fairy Tales”, wasn’t just for children. The play reached the children on their own level without being condescending—and even sprinkled in some jokes that only the older members of the audience would fully appreciate.

The production takes the term “fractured fairy tale” to new heights as Mother Goose earns herself a hairline fracture within the first ten minutes of the play when Jack and Jill accidentally drop their pail on her head. Terribly confused and in need of medical assistance (which she adamantly refuses), Mother Goose continues to tell the stories in her repertoire despite her condition to amusing results. The rest of the production is broken up into short segments of about seven stories.

Rumplestilskin, played by freshman Matt Calvert, fretting over what to do with the baby he didn't want

Though a bit slapstick at times, though they did so unconventionally and it elicited a good audience reaction. The script was masterfully crafted to incorporate culturally relevant themes like iPods, Project Runway, Harry Potter and Oprah.

The Empress, played by junior Ben Zimmerman in drag, had no choice but to feign admiration for her (his) horrendous dress.

Highlights included the segments of “Hansel and Gretel”, “Rumplestilskin” and “Jack and the Beanstalk”. Individual actors shone as well. The dynamic performance of Mother Goose (Chloe Vasquez) brought her doddering old character to life as an endearing and at times hilarious narrator. The actors all hah excellent comedic timing and used deadpan to their advantage. “The Emperor’s New Clothes” lead, Ben Zimmerman, was wonderful as Mother Goose’s delusion transformed him into the drag queen “Empress”; he made quite a refined lady. Gonzalo Izquierdo’s Urkle-esque portrayal as Jack in “Jack and the Beanstalk” brought laughter out of the most mundane of lines with his remarkable accent and subtle comedic nuances.

Overall, the play was a fresh take on a well-used theme. The production was intelligent and colorfully carried out; children of all ages reveled in the zany antics of this impressive ensemble cast and their palpable enthusiasm as the stage brought their fairy tales to life.

drama, reviews Arts & Style, Issue 5, Print