Submitted by HORIZON YOUTH THEATRE
Horizon Youth Theatre and sponsor Wood County Historical Center & Museum are proud to present THE PHANTOM TOLLBOOTH based on the novel by Norton Juster on June 6, 7, and 8 at 7:00 pm at Otsego High School.
The play follows a young boy, disinterested “been there, done that” Milo, as he steps through a magical tollbooth portal to be introduced to “King Azaz and his brother, the Mathemagician, whose disagreement over words and numbers has led to the banishment of Princesses Sweet Rhyme and Pure Reason,” according to the Samuel French website. Milo is dispatched to rescue the princesses from the Land of Ignorance, the only way to return balance to the troubled opposing kingdoms of Dictionopolis and Digitopolis.
The Phantom Tollbooth has special meaning to Horizon Youth Theatre. Its director, Cassie Greenlee, chose it nine years ago to be the second play she would direct for HYT, the beginnings of a long and beautiful partnership. In fact, several of the young actors from the 2010 show have also been cast in the 2019 show, but this time as leads. Seniors Scarlet Frishman and Annie Valantine, now in the roles of Tock the Watchdog and the Humbug; Bob Walters, in the role of King Azaz; Thomas Long, the Mathmagician; and Sophi Hachtel, Minister of Meaning, were all in the original production in the roles of trumpeters, a page, and a lethargarian. “The youngest members of the original cast are now taking on lead roles,” Cassie explains. “I’ve enjoyed revisiting this world with a mix of new and grown up actors.”
Other students in leading roles are Lauren Peppers as Milo; Katie Partlow as Princess Sweet Rhyme; and Chloe Sands as Princess Pure Reason. Fifty other students from many area schools including Bowling Green and Otsego are also participating. The rest of the production team: Alexis Reinbolt, stage manager; Terra Sloane, assistant director; Zann Campbell-Johannes, tech director; Christina Hoekstra, costumer; and Keith Guion and Brittany Albrecht, producers.
As the play ends and Milo must return home, he’s sorry to leave his friends, but enriched by his experience in the Land of Wisdom, he realizes his attitude toward learning will never be the same. We hope you will leave feeling the same way. Tickets are $6 student / senior and $8 adult, and are available on our website or at the door.
