From PEMBERVILLE OPERA HOUSE
After a two-year hiatus because of COVID, the Pemberville Children’s Theatre will present “The Spell of Sleeping Beauty” Friday, Aug 5 and Saturday, Aug 6 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 7 at 2 p.m. in the historic Pemberville Opera House, 115 Main St., Pemberville. The show is directed by Rebecca Schmidt of Perrysburg.
Tickets, $8 for adults and $5 for under 18, are available at the door, at Beeker’s General Store, Pemberville, or by calling Carol at 419-287-4848
Featuring 14 children ages 7-16 from throughout the Northwest Ohio area, this theater workshop is made possible through the generosity of the Gale and Marlyn Williamson Performing Arts Fund and by a special arrangement with Pioneer Drama Company.
The story takes us to the kingdom of Never Nod where a celebration is underway. A princess has been born to the King and Queen. Her name is Briar-Rose. Unfortunately, that nasty witch, Evilina, who lives in Tumbledown Castle with a giant spider for a companion, is not invited. She shows up anyway and pronounces her revenge. At age 16, the princess will cut her finger on a spinning wheel and fall into a deep sleep from which she’ll never awake. Some good witches counter the curse by saying the princess can be awakened by the kiss of true love.
The King bans all spinning wheels. Evilina is not so easily defeated and, on that fateful birthday, the princess does, indeed, cut her finger on a spinning wheel. It’s up to Prince Alexander to come to Briar-Rose’s rescue — and the court’s too. They’re all asleep! The prince must fight a Wall of Thorns, a False Princess and, most frightening of
all — the awesome Dark Knight. This captivating, frolicsome version of the always-popular classic has it all — charm, action, romance, comedy, thrills, plus zany and lovable characters.
The Gale and Marlyn Williamson Performing Arts Fund provides funding for the wonderful children’s programming here at the Pemberville Opera House. Because Marlyn played and taught piano for decades in the Pemberville area many people came to know of her love of music.
Both Gale and Marlyn enjoyed live performances of all kinds and had a deep love and appreciation for the arts. The Williamson’s were very pleased to support the restoration of the opera house and enjoyed attending events there. They spent countless hours together at any
number of different performances and this fund was established by their family and friends to ensure that music and the arts remains a staple of the community for Pemberville’s children.
