Huge cast puts on ‘Snow Queen’

Thu., Nov. 25, 2004

By Jim Kershner jimkershner@comcast.net

The Spokane Children’s Theatre may have set a record with its upcoming production of “The Snow Queen: A Christmas Musical.”

The show has a cast of 75 people, from age 4 through 54, including several entire families of four.

They’ll all be onstage in the Lair Auditorium at Spokane Community College, 1810 N. Greene St., beginning Friday and continuing through Dec. 12.

This show is based on the classic Hans Christian Andersen tale, but many of the most frightening characters have been given a comic twist, according to director Maria Caprile.

It’s about Gerda and Kai, two Danish children living about 100 years ago. The Snow Queen convinces Kai to travel with her to the beautiful world of ice and snow where “love lasts forever.” Gerda journeys through many perils – including a band of hungry pirates – to rescue him from the Snow Queen’s palace.

This version was originally adapted by Richard Kennedy and Mark Lambert as a community project in Newport, Ore.

Alexandra Kraft and Jasper Danielson, both 10, play Gerda and Kai. Monika Hawkinson plays the Snow Queen and Mary Ormsby plays the Robber Girl.

“The Snow Queen: A Christmas Musical” opens Friday at 4 and 7 p.m. and continues every Saturday through Dec. 11 at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., and every Sunday through Dec. 12 at 1 and 4 p.m. There also will be one Tuesday evening performance, Dec. 7 at 7 p.m.

Tickets are $6 for children and $7 for adults, available by calling 328-4886 or at www.spokanechildrenstheatre.org.

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