Cinderella, Snow White, Belle and more fairy tale princesses get musical makeover
October 30 - November 15 at Access Theater
Libra Theater Company, in association with The TRūF, presents the World Premiere of ROYAL FABLES a new musical that explores the lives of classic and not-so-classic fairy tale princesses. Featuring book, music and lyrics by Nick Luckenbaugh, the production is directed by Megan Mekjian starring a cast of 18. Previews begin October 30 at Access Theater. Opening is set for Wednesday, November 5.
For centuries, children and adults have flocked to the stories of fairy tale princesses like Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, and Scheherazade, taking hope from their seemingly perfect happy endings. But beneath the surface of these sweet and charming (and sometimes dark and twisted) tales, there’s an inner truth to each of these princesses -- a burning desire or haunting secret that we seem to overlook. In ROYAL FABLES, the mask comes off, and each of these princesses steps forward, revealing what the storybooks missed.
The production stars Catherine Ang, Hayley Biegel, Theresa Burns, Emma Davis, Jenifer Dillow, Jeremy Earhart, Madeline Fansler, Raina Helen Fraley, Kristin Kelleher, Erin Long, Lizzy Palmer, James Edison Pierce, AnnMarie Powers, Shunori Ramanathan, Elyssa Renee Ramirez, and Sarah Treanor. The production team features Jeremy M. Franze (music director); Travis Boatright (costumes); Michelle Tobias (lighting); Travis Boatright, Nick Luckenbaugh, Megan Mekjian, and Michelle Tobias (set design), and Sydney Mei Ruf-Wong (associate choreographer).
Nick Luckenbaugh is music theater writer based in New York City. His work has been performed at 54 Below, Sidewalk Cafe, The Path Cafe, The Underground Lounge, and The Cellar at The West End among others. In addition to ROYAL FABLES, he is currently collaborating with singer/songwriter Amy Molewski on a new fantasy book musical entitled Unbound. Beyond writing, Nick serves as Manager of Institutional Giving at Atlantic Theater Company in New York City. www.nickluckenbaugh.com
Libra Theater Company recently received 7 New York Innovative Theatre Award nominations for its world premiere of The Thirteenth Commandment by Joshua H. Cohen, and won two of those awards. Most recently, Libra produced a world premiere presentation of Monstersongs, a new graphic novel-infused song cycle with music and lyrics by Rob Rokicki (Love, NY) and illustrations by Dave O’Neill. Other past work includes William Shakespeare’s 12th Night (winner of a NY Innovative Theatre Award for “Outstanding Original Music”), The Entropy Songs by Joshua H. Cohen, Poems & Moon Songs by Will Reynolds (The Greenwood Tree), and Fleet Week and Other Reasons to Sail by Sam Carner and Derek Gregor. For more information, visit www.libratheater.org.
Now in its second season, The TRūF Theatre Company is dedicated to producing pairs of multigenerational performances to foster discussion between generations. The TRūF couples each of its own “grown-up” shows produced with a children’s theatre counterpart, both revolving around a common theme. By intertwining themes relevant to young and old, The TRūF blurs the line that divides the two. Our work is not just for adults. It’s not just children’s theatre. Our work sows a seed of TRūF in the minds of our audience. Past productions include Frank McGuinness' Someone Who'll Watch Over Me paired with the world-premiere children's play Sarazad and the Monster King by EJC Calvert, Paula Vogel's The Baltimore Waltz, and a collection of three original one-acts entitled Not Your Mama's Fairy Tales; or, In Real Life, Everything Sucks, paired with a world-premiere children's musical Pedro Pan.
ROYAL FABLES runs October 30 - November 15, with performances daily (except for Tuesdays) at 8pm. Access Theater is located at 380 Broadway between Walker and White Streets, 2 blocks south of Canal -- accessible from the N,R,6,1,A,C&E trains at Canal. Tickets are $18, available at 347-352-4549 orr www.libratheater.org.