Colby-Sawyer College Presents 'The Enchanted Pig,' a Funny Fairy Tale about Mud and Marriage
NEW LONDON, N.H., Feb. 11, 2011 – Colby-Sawyer College will host Charles Ludlam's 1979 play, “The Enchanted Pig,” a comic fairy tale about a king and three daughters, one of whom is fated to marry a pig.
The production of “The Enchanted Pig” opens on Thursday, Feb. 24, and continues on Friday, Feb. 25, and Saturday, Feb. 26, at 7 p.m. at the Sawyer Center Theatre. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students/children, and may be purchased at the show or by calling the box office for reservations beginning Feb. 22 at (603) 526-3670. The production lasts just over an hour, in part to encourage attendance by families with young children.
Directed by Theatre Director Julie Vogt, “The Enchanted Pig” will delight people of all ages, with a cast that includes Colby-Sawyer students and community members, as well as young students from the Windy Hill School. The Windy Hill kindergarteners created the art work for the set design, assisted with puppetry design, and helped to imagine the puppets' journey. Under the direction of Colby-Sawyer's choreographer Tara Holmes (Adjunct Assistant Professor and Windy Hill School teacher), 19 nursery school and kindergarten children will open the show as pigs and princesses in lively dances. Additionally, some of these youngsters will participate in the lavish wedding of the princess and the pig, enlivening the scene with their exuberance and charm. The pigs will be played by Elias Baer, Gunnar Bergstrom, Lexi Farr, Sarah Haas, Ophelia Hill, Hayden Kidder, Tori Montagna, Addison Nessel, Matthew Neu, Ryan Neu, Davis West, Graham West. The princesses will be played by Lili Baer, Marliese Baer, Maggie Ellison, Molly Ellison, Anna McKeagney, Olympia Sauerwein and Zoey Sauerwein.
The student cast includes John C. McCarthy as King Gorgeous III; Kayleigh Flynn as Princess Gonda; Suzanna Brown as Princes Wonda; Kayla Pingree as Enfanta Eulalie Irene; Andrew Francis as Prince from the East; Dan Moir as Prince from the West; Christopher McCarthy as Pig from the North; Yulia Petova as Mother Wormwood (witch); Meghan Hardiman as Mother of the Wind; Christine Wertz as Puppet Eulalie Irene; and Mike Bills as Baby. Community member Bonnie Lewis will take on the role of Mother of the Moon and Charley Freiberg as Mother of the Sun.
Theatre Director Vogt expresses excitement in showcasing Ludlam's play and is struck by its imagination and wit. “If it were up to me, all the plays would be comedies, because I love them so much,” she said. Vogt looks forward to sharing this fairy tale with a humorous twist in a production she describes as “short and fun.”
This production is Vogt's second at Colby-Sawyer College, where she not only directs productions but also teaches courses in acting, theater appreciation, directing and stage management as an assistant professor of Fine and Performing Arts. She previously served as dramaturge and assistant director at the Colorado Shakespeare Festival and has directed other period pieces. For this show Vogt's vision was inspired by her training at the University of Wisconsin-Madison's nationally recognized graduate program in theatre for young audiences and applied drama in the classroom. While working toward her graduate degree in theatre history, she taught a class in drama in education and was greatly influenced by the program.
“The Windy Hill collaboration was initiated because I love creating theatre for and with young audiences,” she said, “and the show was an opportunity for the Child Development majors who participate in the productions to combine their academic interests.”
For information about other upcoming events at Colby-Sawyer College, visit www.colby-sawyer.edu/events.
-Cassandra Monahan '11
Colby-Sawyer College is a comprehensive college that integrates the liberal arts and sciences with professional preparation. Founded in 1837, Colby-Sawyer is located in the scenic Lake Sunapee Region of central New Hampshire. Learn more about the college's vibrant teaching and learning community at www.colby-sawyer.edu. Colby-Sawyer College, 541 Main Street, New London, N.H. 03257 (603) 526-3000
