By Alayna Een and Eliza Een
Check your clock, it’s Princess Time with Cobb&Co, and Front Row Reviewers has all the royal details of what’s happening in the cursed castle—I mean, the Angelus Theatre in Spanish Fork, Utah! This original fairy tale written by Ruthie Cobb Higley, back for its second year, is punnier and more magical than ever before. This tale begins once upon a time when a young woman named Paige arrives at a castle, which is rumored to host a group of princesses on a mysteriously extended sabbatical. A witch’s curse left them exhibiting strange quirks and closed them off from the outside world. Paige insists on being hired as a maid and works to uncover the mystery of the curse and break it before time runs out. Along the way, she learns the routines of the castle and its inhabitants and argues with a mysterious voice that only she can hear. When the secrets are finally revealed, Paige and her new friends find an unexpected happy ending in a surprisingly touching conclusion.
Hannah Hacking-Brown plays the delightfully (or dreadfully, depending on your taste) punny Paige. Her exasperation at the strange behaviors of the princesses is relatable and endearing, but she perseveres with humor. Hacking-Brown has some touching moments of understanding with Princess Odessa (Amanda Gould) and the other princesses, and she develops meaningful relationships throughout the play. Gould shows the blissfully innocent side of Odessa with great hoo-mor. Also joining in the fun is Chelsea Trammel as Princess Bella, who is selective and exacting in her need for comfort. Trammel’s character brings the others together as she pushes for answers about Paige and her mysterious motivations.
Stealing some scenes–and bits of the scenery—is Lisa King as Princess Ary. King’s sticky fingers don’t often make it past the bag check at the door, but she’s always armed with a cheeky or defensive remark. Princess Autumn (Gabi Pack) struggles to find the balance between supporting her friends and fighting for the urge to repeat her actions—in quintuple, which I think deserves a pat on the back (pat, pat, pat, pat). Another princess whose performance you can’t snooze on is Princess Fiona (Ali Hatfield). Her grace is truly impressive, and she keeps you on your toes with her quick drops to the floor or unannounced yoga moves. The most elusive of our royal ladies is Princess Cindy (Madeleine Seiter). But once she appears, her colorful, playful manner is entirely beguiling. Her mischief and showboating splits with the magical suits of armor bring audible giggles of delight from the youngest audience members.
Serving in the castle, Paige joins the Matron (Rhonda Seiter) and maid Hattie (Jenny Mattice), who are veterans when it comes to addressing the princesses’ behaviors, and provide some advice and direction to Paige. Rhonda Seiter is imposing, and she plays well opposite Hacking-Brown. Mattice is the soft and silent type, which amplifies the excitement onstage when she finally speaks.
The cursed characters come together in a few “fight” scenes set to classical music and featuring unexpected dance moves or improvised weapons, and these colorful and whimsically lit (Gabi Pack) moments are huge highlights of the show that got the audience laughing their socks off. A big part of the onstage magic is made from the whimsical, eclectic set (Darin Erickson, Nathan Erickson, and Garion Jorgensen) which is infused with interactive pieces such as rotating walls and sliding bookcases embellished with magical mops and strange paintings (prop mistresses Ruthie Cobb Higley and Rhonda Seiter). With costumes pieces ranging from fluffy slippers to sparkling tiaras, the costumers (Avery Dall-Hilton and Erin Cobb) do an excellent job elevating the status of the rambunctious royals while tailoring to their personalities.
The royal return of Cobb&Co’s Princess Time at The Angelus Theatre in Spanish Fork, Utah, is a must-see for families and is a great way to celebrate and open conversations about Mental Health Awareness Month. So don your tiara and come to Princess Time!
A review by Front Row Reviewers
Cobb&Co Theater presents Princess Time, an original play by Ruthie Cobb Higley
The Angelus Theatre, 165 N Main St, Spanish Fork, UT, 84660
May 8–19, 7 PM (Mondays, Fridays, and Saturdays)
Tickets: $15 for adults, $10.80 for children
Dress up as a princess for a discount on concessions!
Cobb&Co. Theater website
Cobb&Co. Theater Facebook Page
Princess Time Facebook Event
0 Comments