ISM presents ‘The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon,’ Nov. 2-3

The community is invited to the International School of Minnesota (ISM)’s upcoming production of “The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon,” a family-friendly comedy show where fairy tales are turned on their heads.

Performances are at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 2, and Friday, Nov. 3, at ISM’s Leila C. Saad Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for students and can be purchased at the door. This is a family-friendly production recommended for ages 8+.

The synopsis: “The fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm are turned on their heads in this fast-paced, rollicking ride as two narrators and several actors attempt to combine all 209 stories ranging from classics like ‘Snow White,’ ‘Cinderella,’ and ‘Hansel and Gretel’ to more bizarre, obscure stories like ‘The Devil’s Grandmother’ and ‘The Girl Without Hands.’ A wild, free-form comedy with lots of audience participation and madcap fun.”

Ariel Wilberg, director of the play and head of performing arts at ISM, said, “As soon as I read the ‘Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon,’ I knew it was the perfect play for our school. I love the modern approach to the old Brothers Grimm fairy tales. Each fairy tale is woven together to create one ‘mega juicy story,’ and I was sure our students would love it, too.”
 
Wilberg said, “This play is unique because we have 10 students playing 42 different characters. Most of the actors are playing between four to eight characters on stage. In the second act, one actor plays all of the characters in the Cinderella story, swapping hats and props to become the other characters.”

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Emma Tan, a freshman at ISM, is playing a narrator alongside eighth grader Cy Nahas. Tan said, “Everyone should come to the show because it brings back all of the original fairy tales that most people know through Disney, yet there are many more obscure ones that most people don’t know about, and this play connects them all.”

She added, “It’s a little dark at times but it’s fun and funny as well. There’s also a lot of audience participation and action, so everyone feels included. Come watch the production, you’ll have a lot of fun.”

Tan said, ”In my role as Narrator 1, I enjoy the interactivity of the play and the camaraderie of our performing arts community. I love being on stage; it has allowed me to grow and explore different characters over the years.”