“Twelve Dancing Princesses” take St. Charles stage
You may not have heard of the fairy tale “Twelve Dancing Princesses.” But according to Daina Giesler, this story has all of the bases covered, when it comes to fairy tale elements.
Magic? Check. Princesses? Check. Disguised identities? Check. There's even a sorceress — but not to worry.
“It's a happy story, not scary,” said Giesler, who choose the play, which is being performed by Steel Beam Children's Theatre. “My 3-year-old niece will be coming. It's appropriate for all ages.”
Performances take place at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturdays and 1 p.m. Sundays, Jan. 14 through Feb. 5, at the Steel Beam Theatre, 111 W. Main St., St. Charles. Tickets are $14 and $10 for children.
Giesler, of Oswego, is directing a cast of 20, whose ages range from 9 to 14. Many of the performers will be making their acting debut with “Twelve Dancing Princesses.” The show, while not a musical per se, features princesses dressed like ballerinas, and choreography by Giesler.
“In this play, the performers learn to use their bodies as well as their voices,” Giesler said. “(Dancing) helps them learn to be more confident onstage.”
The plot is sure to appeal to young audiences. In a faraway land, a queen — played by Fiona Dendler of South Elgin — is faced with a perplexing mystery.
Every night her 12 beautiful princesses are tucked safely in their beds with the door to their suite securely bolted shut. Yet each morning the girls are exhausted, as if they hadn't slept, and their shoes are worn through, even though every day they get a new pair.
It takes the help of a valiant young soldier — played by Michael Garcia of Geneva — who unravels a sinister plot to overtake the kingdom.
“It's a short play, about an hour with an intermission,” Giesler said. “It's a great play for younger children.”
Giesler, who holds a master of arts in educational theater, brings years of experience to this production.
“I've probably directed (at Steel Beam) for about eight seasons,” she said. “I've directed adults as well as children's shows and summer camp.”
“I've been a dancer and choreographer myself. I have an affinity for everything to do with dancing.”
Giesler also likes that “Twelve Dancing Princesses” is more of an ensemble number, without a specific lead.
“The play is evenly balanced throughout; everyone has an equal part,” she said.
The cast includes Michael Garcia, Jill Jackson, Riley Kafka, Lilly Nowak, Mikayla Rawls, Adelaide Ralston and Carly Rasmussen of Geneva; Anastasia Smith-Becker, Allison Cole, Aaron Delaney, Mackenzie O'Keefe, Rachel Ponte and Julia Zima of St. Charles; Aidan Walker and Isabel Walker of Batavia; Chloe Besser of Elburn; Fiona Dendler of South Elgin; Isabelle Heuser of Wayne; and Ashley Peters and Lindsay Peters of West Chicago.
For tickets, visit steelbeamtheare.com. or call (630) 587-8521.
If you go
What: Steel Beam Children's Theatre production of “Twelve Dancing Princesses”
When: 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturdays and 1 p.m. Sundays, Jan. 14 through Feb. 5
Where: Steel Beam Theatre, 111 W. Main St., St. Charles
Tickets: $14; $10 for children age 16 and younger
Details: <a href="http://www.steelbeamtheatre.com">steelbeamtheatre.com</a>; (630) 587-8521