DULUTH — Denfeld Excessive College senior Natylee Anderson is aware of a factor or two about fairytales.
Each speech season, she has to have 15 fairytale-like tales memorized to carry out at any given time. So moving into the lead function of Princess Alessandra in Denfeld’s manufacturing of “The Witch’s Princess” by Don Zolidis felt fairly acquainted to her, however with welcomed twists that make the old-style fairytale characters really feel new.
“It is a humorous present with lots of quirky characters, but in addition lots of cool fight and magic,” Natylee mentioned. “And I like my character. It is enjoyable to get to play a personality who’s so girl-power targeted. I am like, marriage and courting are silly; why do not you simply go get your women and go beat up witches?”
The play’s story revolves round Natylee’s princess, who is about to be married off by her father to no matter knight is ready to defeat the evil lavatory witch. However the princess has a superb plan: Why not collect a staff of monsters to take down a monster? She units out together with her finest good friend, Gabriella, performed by sophomore Natalie Rasch, to recruit her staff. Hijinks ensue, and never all the things is because it appears.
Teri Cadeau / Duluth Media Group
“That is my first big-ish function,” Rasch mentioned. “Working with Natylee has been a lot enjoyable. I like attending to play to those massive feelings and discovering energy in relationships.”
Rasch mentioned her character begins out the present as just a little boy loopy and co-dependent, however by way of all of it, she finds her internal energy and steps as much as defend her paramour on the last battle.
“I am getting stronger and extra impartial like Alessandra, however I am additionally not rejecting the courier who likes me. I am discovering that energy in relationships as a substitute,” Rasch mentioned.
Including to the present’s wacky environment are the three monsters Alessandra recruits: Megoosa, a Medusa-like monster with geese for hair as a substitute of snakes, Grendel’s mom, impressed by the character from “Beowulf,” and the Jabberwock, who, as a substitute of being a terrifying monster from “Alice Via the Wanting Glass,” is extra of a large scary golden retriever.
“Megoosa might be my favourite function that I’ve ever gotten to play as a result of I am a really enthusiastic and energetic individual, and I’ve all the time been informed that I am an excessive amount of. This character leans into being an excessive amount of and makes it her highest quality,” Denfeld senior Nissa Johnson mentioned. “Plus I get to say such enjoyable issues like ‘Honk, honk, sure woman!’ And I am the demolitions knowledgeable, so I am a vital a part of the staff.”
Teri Cadeau / Duluth Media Group
Senior Lucien Anderson makes up one other member of the staff as Grendel’s mom. They play a mentor determine for Alessandra as they bond over the grief of shedding a cherished one.
“They’ve a second across the campfire the place they discuss coping with that grief, as Alessandra misplaced her mom and I misplaced my son,” Lucien mentioned. “However she’s additionally just a little goofy and eccentric, so she’s very enjoyable to play.”
Rounding out the small staff of wacky monsters is the Jabberwock, performed by senior Scarlett Eugenis.
“She’s very dog-like and enjoyable. I actually love the possibility to only be so unadulteratedly foolish,” Eugenis mentioned.
With that, the solid requested that folks attending the present carry their humorousness with them and snigger at all the things they discover humorous.
“That is the largest factor, know that there are components which might be wacky and means on the market, but in addition enable your self to only take within the phrases after we’re extra severe,” Natylee mentioned. “Experience that wave and revel in each a part of it.”
And Natylee would additionally know one thing about having fun with the wild journey that could be a Don Zolidis play, as she additionally carried out a duo speech piece written by the identical creator throughout speech season final 12 months.
“It is a mixture of my years in speech, and it is such a enjoyable journey to truly be in a Don Zolidis present, quite than performing all of the characters myself and with my duo associate,” Natylee mentioned.
“The Witch’s Princess” runs Nov. 6-8 at 7 p.m. with an extra 2 p.m. matinee Nov. 8 within the Denfeld Excessive College lecture corridor on the second flooring. Tickets run $15 for common admission and $5 for pupil admission, and the present is open to all ages.
Teri Cadeau is a options reporter for the Duluth Information Tribune. Initially from the Iron Vary, Cadeau has labored for a number of group newspapers within the Duluth space, together with the Duluth Budgeteer Information, Western Weekly, Weekly Observer, Lake County Information-Chronicle, and sometimes, the Cloquet Pine Journal. When not working, she’s an avid reader, crafter, dancer, trivia fanatic and cribbage participant.
