Oct. 1-4: CLC children's theatre turns fairy tales upside down

Featuring a wacky take on famous fairy tales, "The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales" is the College of Lake County Theatre department's fall children's show. The play was adapted by John Glore from the award-winning book by Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith.

Published in 1992, the book is a collection of twisted, humorous parodies of famous children's stories and fairy tales, such as "Little Red Riding Hood," "The Ugly Duckling" and "The Gingerbread Man." It won the New York Times Best Illustrated Book award and was a Caldecott Honor book.

Productions will be held in the Mainstage Theatre at the James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts on Oct. 3 at 3 and 7 p.m. and Oct. 4 at 2 p.m. Regular tickets (open seating) are $8 and $6 for school groups. The 10 a.m. shows on Oct. 1 and 2 for school groups have sold out, so a second performance has been added on Oct. 2 at 12:30 p.m.

In the play, which is especially suited for grades Pre-K to 4, favorite fairytales are spun on their head. Poor Jack has got to save himself from the terrible Giant, but a host of familiar fairy tale characters, and one very annoying Stinky Cheese Man, keep messing up his plans. According to Portland Stage Reviews, "The Stinky Cheese Man is non-stop hilarious."

The director is Brian J. Gill of Grayslake. He trained at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre and is a member of the adjunct faculties of CLC, the Theatre School at DePaul University and Carthage College. For the 2015-16 year, he is a visiting artist at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside. The show's scenic designer is Grant Sabin, lighting and sound designer is Jeffrey Weiss, costume designer is Beth Levine Chaitman and stage manager is Amanda Barth.

'The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales' cast

Estelle Desante (Lille, France) plays Surgeon General, King, Frog, Rumplestiltskin, Little Old Man, Cow Head and Legal Guy. Riccarda Eickenberg (Long Grove) plays Ducky Lucky, Princess 2, Cinderella and Cow Butt. North Rory Homeward (Vernon Hills) plays Cow Patty Boy, Cocky Locky, Prince, Step Sister 1, Owl and Stinky Cheese Man. Jennifer Nelson (Lindenhurst) plays Red Hen, Goosey Loosey, Queen, Step Mother and Little Old Lady. Emily Schneider (Lindenhurst) plays Chicken Licken, Princess 1, Little Red Running Shorts and Rabbit. Cody Summers (Lindenhurst) plays Jack and Tortoise. Robert Williams (Waukegan) plays Foxy Loxy, Ugly Duck, Wolf, Step Sister 2 and Fox.

For tickets, call (847) 543-2300 or visit www.clcillinois.edu/tickets. Regular tickets (open seating) are $8 and $6 for school groups (including a $2 JLC facility fee). There are no reserved seats for this production. The Box Office is open Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 60 minutes prior to each performance at 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. The James Lumber Center is ADA compliant. Call for more details.

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