Children's Theatre brings 'Hercules' to the Hemmens
More than eighty children and youth from ages 7 to 15 will bring The Legend of Hercules to life at the Hemmens Cultural Center in Elgin April 8-10 when the Children's Theatre of Elgin brings its newest production to the stage.
The show will be presented on Friday evening, April 8 and Saturday evening, April 9 at 7:30 p.m. There will be a matinee Sunday afternoon, April 10 at 2 p. m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students and seniors. Tickets are available through the Hemmens Box Office at (847) 931-5900.
“The Legend of Hercules” is an original musical interpretation of the world of the Greek gods on Mt. Olympus, written by Sarah Akemann. Produced in Hawaii before coming to Elgin, it tells the story of the homecoming of Hercules, half man, half god, and the competition of goddesses on Mt. Olympus for his affections.
The show opens as a class of students tour a museum containing statues of Hercules and other Greek gods. While the students are bored and find little romance in the story of the gods, the museum curator begins to tell them the story of the gods, “Once upon a time, magical gods and goddesses ruled the earth from a land called…” The story then moves to the airport in Crete where Hercules is about to arrive on his way home to Mt. Olympus, after years of wandering and “fighting monsters.”
The show includes more than a dozen songs that help to tell the story and entertain as well as educate the audience – and the young cast comprised of students from area schools. Hercules, for example, sings of being “Back in the Land of the Gods,” telling how his home is replete with good and evil gods.
The cast is drawn from local children and youth who have successfully auditioned for the show. “The Legend of Hercules is a wonderful experience for children and youth of all ages involved in the production,” said Peter Akemann, the shows director and also the father of the playwright. “The audience will enjoy the upbeat music and become involved in the drama as well.”
The play centers around the princess Andromeda's decision to win Hercules for herself, but he is smitten with Pandora, a young mortal allowed to live on Mt. Olympus. Hercules sings of his feelings for Pandora.
Sarah Akemann, the play's author said that the songs and dialogue are intended to educate as well as entertain. “Through the lyrics and dialogue, the children learn the subject of the show and have fun learning as well.” She added, “Facts are easily retained when put to music and this show, importantly, moves the story along through the songs the cast sings.”
While the cast works on stage, parents are busy behind the scenes sewing costumes, building sets, doing the necessary publicity, making baked goods for the concession stands and handling ticket sales.
“The children have learned so much and have gained such self-confidence through their participation in these shows,” said Jamie Cisco a cast mother, “that the experience has been unique and irreplaceable.”
“The Legend of Hercules is produced and presented by the Childrens Theatre of Elgin (CTE), an Illinois 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation and an in-residence ensemble at the Elgin Community College Arts Center. Funding for the organization is provided in part through the City of Elgin, the Grand Victoria Foundation, and the Illinois Arts Council. CTE provides main-stage theatre experiences for young performers (ages 7-15) whose talents are showcased for theatre patrons of all ages.