Children from Washington Montessori afterschool winter drama class, directed by Leslie Elias- will present an original dramatic adaptation of Hans Christian Anderson’s classic winter fairytale, The Snow Queen on Friday, February 22nd at 5 p.m. in the theater. This show is free to the public and welcomes children and families to attend this special event. Following the performance there will be refreshments.
Leslie Elias, director of Grumbling Gryphons Traveling Children’s Theater wrote, directed and composed the original music for the production. Tom Hanford, folk musician from Goshen, CT will accompany the performance on guitar and violin. The nine girls who range in age from 2nd through fifth graders will make original masks with mask maker Larry Hunt, performer and artistic director of internationally traveling Masque Theater Company .The children will make grotesque goblin masks out of burlap and paste, as well as magical snowflake and colorful flower masks out of paper all to be worn by the children during their performance.
Ellen Moon of Cornwall Bridge, long time mask maker with Grumbling Gryphons, made the scenery, costumes and many of the masks. This show was originally performed by adult actors with Grumbling Gryphons Traveling Theater and toured schools and theaters, including the former Sharon Playhouse. Elias revived the show for children to play all the dramatic roles, ranging from the icy Snow Queen to mischievous goblins, ravens, reindeers, dancing flowers, robbers and more. The magic of Hans Christian Anderson timeless tale will be sure to delight the eye and ear with music, dance, drama and a dedicated cast of nine young thespians.
This story takes place in Denmark and tells the story of Gerda’s quest to free her friend Kaye from the icy grip of The Snow Queen in her palace by the North Pole. Gerda’s courage and determination helps her to brave encounters with a gypsy robber band, forgetful flowers and ultimately the frozen realm of The Snow Queen. Gerda must break through the Snow Queen’s spell to free her best friend.
Leslie Elias is a playwright, actress, storyteller and theater director who has been teaching drama in schools, theaters and public venues for over 35 years. In the winter of 2011 she was recognized as a Connecticut Teaching Artist and directs an annual theater arts summer camp in Cornwall, CT as well as serves as Artist-in-Residence in many schools throughout the United States. As a playwright, Ms. Elias has authored numerous plays based on history, myth and folk legends from around the world. Leslie Elias brought stories to children throughout the world, including children of Chernobyl victims in hospitals in Kiev, Ukraine. Grumbling Gryphons is celebrating their 33rd year and are the winners of the Connecticut Commission on the Arts Governor’s Arts Award. The next Grumbling Gryphons performance take place on Saturday, March 9th at 3 p.m. and will be Anansi- the Trickster Spider: A West African Folktale at The Litchfield Community Center.
For further information about Grumbling Gryphons, please contact the theater at www.grumblinggryphons.org, e-mail grumblinggryphons@gmail.com or call Leslie Elias-artistic director at 860-672-0286.