HFCC to present 'Sleeping Beauty' Nov. 4 to Nov. 20

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By Kurt Anthony Krug

The Theatre Arts program at HFCC will present a stage adaptation of the beloved fairy tale 'Sleeping Beauty' from Friday, Nov. 4, to Sunday, Nov. 20, at the Adray Auditorium, which is located in the MacKenzie Fine Arts Center on the main campus.

Based on 'La Belle au bois dormant' (English translation: 'The Beauty in the Sleeping Woods') by French author Charles Perrault (1628-1703), 'Sleeping Beauty' chronicles the story of a princess who falls under the spell of a wicked fairy who declares that once she reaches adulthood, the princess will die upon cutting her finger on the spindle of the Spinning Wheel of Death. However, a good fairy partially reverses this enchantment, proclaiming the princess will fall into a deep sleep for 100 years rather than die. After a century, the princess--who retained her youth and beauty via magic--is awakened by a kiss from a handsome prince and they lived happily ever after.

That is the popular version, which formed the basis for 1959’s 'Sleeping Beauty,' the 16th entry in the Walt Disney Animated Classics series.

However, the version produced by the HFCC Theatre Arts program is based on award-winning playwright Stacey Lane's version of the classic fairy tale. In Lane's version--which is adapted by HFCC theatre professor Gerry Dzuiblinski--the story is shown through the perspective of the wicked fairy, who turns back time to show audiences the true story of 'Sleeping Beauty.'

'This is 'Sleeping Beauty' as it's never been seen before,' said Dzuiblinski. 'The talented theatre students here at HFCC will take you on a mystical journey full of magic and laughter in a twist of the beloved fairy tale. This endearing fable is sure to keep adults and children alike on the edge of their seats and thoroughly entertained,' he added.

Produced by special arrangement with Playscripts, Inc. and directed by HFCC theatre instructor and award-winning director Christopher Bremer, the cast includes:

  • Courtney Butterfield of Redford;
  • Shauna Hazime of Dearborn Heights;
  • Asia Robbinson of Detroit;
  • Danya Talab of Dearborn;
  • Amanda Pierce of Dearborn;
  • Andrea Wells-Preister of Allen Park;
  • India Jackson of Detroit;
  • Sabrina Loving of Romulus;
  • Samantha York of Dearborn;
  • Betty Daniels of Detroit;
  • Joanna Graham of Westland;
  • Robert Gray of Redford;
  • Drake Highgate of Detroit;
  • Marcellus Hogan of Detroit;
  • London Johnson of  Detroit;
  • Adam Kamrad of Dearborn;
  • Joey Kulza of Brownstown;
  • Dominic Lomuscio of Dearborn Heights;
  • Kahrah Noel of Detroit;
  • VicAngelo Offut of Detroit; and
  • Tim Pollack of Wyandotte.

'Sleeping Beauty' runs Friday through Sundays, beginning Nov. 4. Show times are Fridays and Saturdays at 7 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Ticket prices are $12 for adults, $10 for students with valid IDs, and $6 for students ages 12 and under. Ticket prices for groups of 10 or more are $5 per seat.

For further information and reservations, please call (313) 845-9817 or email gadzuiblinski@hfcc.edu.

Production Run for School Audiences

HFCC will also offer a production run for this event for school audiences in grades 1-8 on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 10 a.m. from Nov. 7 to Nov. 18. Running time is one hour. Admission is $3 per student. For adults and chaperones, admission is free. A study guide will be provided for every teacher who books a group. For further information and reservations, contact (313) 845-9817 or email gadzuiblinski@hfcc.edu.