GREENFIELD — Forget what you’ve known about the classic Snow White fairy tale, the one where a dark-haired beauty is awoken by her true love’s kiss.
The version hitting the stage this weekend at the H.J. Ricks Centre for the Arts — “The Snow White Variety Show” — spins a different story.
The KidsPlay production retells the tale of Snow White from the dwarves’ point of view.
Director Chris Schaefer explains that the show is told in the form of a tongue-in-cheek variety show hosted by a woman named Heidi Perbole.
“She interviews the seven dwarves, who aren’t really the original seven dwarves but rather ones named Howdy, Rowdy, Weepy, Creepy, Wordy, Nerdy and Bob,” she said.
The dwarves share their various versions of events while seated in director’s chairs on stage, as other characters play out their convoluted stories in the background.
“I probably read 10 or 15 scripts before I picked this one,” said Schaefer, who was drawn to the play not only for its comical storyline but the fact it could accommodate a large cast of 30 kids.
One young actress, who plays the Evil Queen, travels all the way from Carmel to take part in the production.
“The way I pick scripts is by envisioning some of the (recurring actors) we have and the parts I can see them in. There are some great parts in this,” she said. “Plus I thought it was pretty funny, and we just want to have fun.”
Part of the fun is the wide variety of accents the young actors take on throughout the play. “There’s cowboy accents, British accents, vampire accents, the list goes on,” said Schaefer, who has been directing KidsPlay for over 25 years.
Amy Studabaker, who has acted alongside Schaefer in CrazyLake productions, is serving as assistant director.
She loves the show’s quirky, unique premise.
“The seven dwarves retell the famous fairy tale to an inquisitive talk show host, but they each tell it from their own perspective. They turn the tale into a western, a soap opera and a Shakespearean tragedy, to name just a few,” said Studabaker, who said the costumes might be her favorite part of the show.
“Each dwarf has a unique personality, and seeing the kids get excited to look like the persona they have been working so hard to act out is really special and rewarding,” she said.
Studabaker credits Schaefer for bringing out the best in the young actors.
“Chris Schaefer is a wonder with the kids. She coaches them to a terrific performance, and we all have so much fun together at rehearsal,” said Studabaker, whose 10-year-old daughter, Aria, plays Weepy the dwarf.
“She has loved being a KidsPlayer, and it has truly taught her so much about self-confidence, teamwork and preparation…not to mention the friendships,” said the proud mom, who can’t wait for her son, Harrison, to be old enough to join the troupe next year.
KidsPlay is open to children in third through eighth grades.
“The Snow White Variety Show” takes the stage at the Ricks at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and at 2 p.m. Sunday.
Tickets are available at the door an hour before showtime or can be purchased for $5 in advance at Hometown Comics, at 1040 N. State St. in Greenfield.
The Ricks Centre is located at 122 W. Main St. in downtown Greenfield.
For more information, visit KidsPlay, Inc. on Facebook.
