By Megan Holley
At the Midvale Performing Arts Center, Titus Productions gives us all a chance to remember Grimm’s wonderful Twelve Dancing Princesses. Titus has created The Dancing Princesses, a a well-done musical that captured the little girl in me. Jake Andersen wrote and produced this work of art, with the help of Rebecca Nielsen as Director. This community theatre production is one that I’d recommend because not only did it have a great plot, it is family friendly, and just plain magical. The Midvale Performing Arts Center is a small and cozy theater with a more casual feel.
Princess Lily (Nyssa Sara Lee) is the eldest princess with nine younger sisters and Lee is committed to her character the entire show. Princess Lily’s interactions with Peter the Soldier (Garrett Biesinger) is nothing less than a classic fairytale romance. Peter the Soldier gets help from Cobbler (Casey Henderson) to solve the mystery of why the princesses’ slippers would be in tatters every morning, even though they had just gotten them the day before. Princess Ivy (Jennica Henderson), the youngest princess, helps Peter the Soldier and Cobbler solve the mystery by aiding them in getting them into the Forest of Jewels and Crystal. Princess Ivy’s violin and Cobbler’s guitar duet of “True Colors” by Cindi Lauper is incredible and exceeded my expectations. Every classic fairytale needs a villain, and that’s who Bella Donna (Chareese Johnson) is; but no villain is complete without an evil sidekick. Thorodan (Christina Webb) is just that. At first when you meet Thorodan you don’t understand how a Goth person with rabies is going to fit in a fairytale but as the show progresses things fall into place and by the end you understand her character. Tango Bella (Joann Galloway) is the narrator of the show. Even though she holds the script most of the show, it is supposed to be like a fairytale book. Being a narrator can be difficult and Galloway makes it seem like a piece of cake. Every Princess had their own personality, Princess Lily is the leader, Princess Rose (Rossy Thrall) is the gardener, Princess Clover (Stasia Johnson) is the girly-girl, Princess Petunia (Elisabeth Best) is the sporty one, Princess Blossom (Nikki North) is the musician, Princess Azalea (Shimmer Pyper) is the animal lover and her bearded dragon she brings onstage helps show that. Princess Marigold (Aspen Bahsham) loves to cook, Princess Aster (Issy Pyper) is the problem-solving one, Princess Violet (Sheridan Walk) is the artist, and lastly Princess Ivy is the bookworm.
This show would be nowhere near the success it is without the amazing production crew. With Rebecca Nielsen as the Director, Set Design, and Lighting Design has put a gargantuan amount of work into getting this show ready. The Vocal Director Quinn Nielsen does an amazing job of getting all the music taught when there were tons of various song genres from multiple decades. Costume Designer Lee (who plays Princess Lily) creates costumes that are stunning. Since each princess has their own personality, Lee costumes for them all with definition and beauty. The many choreographers for the show, Johnson (Bella Donna), Emily Landeen, Sasha Nugter, Thrall (Rose), and Walk (Violet) the create lovely dances and movement that fit this show perfectly. The Sound Design by Lorrinda Christensen and Cameron Christensen at certain times was difficult to hear what was happening onstage, yet most of the time I could hear everything perfectly.
The Princes in the ensemble are a hoot, each with their own personalities and names corresponding to famous singers from various decades and genres. The Fairies and Elves are adorable, they help Cobbler make the slippers for the princesses every night, along with getting the princesses safely to The Forest of Jewels and Crystal. King Florian (Jeff North), and his assistant Harold the Herald (Andrew Webb) are a fantastic team and adding in some extra comedic relief.
Titus Productions Theatre Co.’s The Dancing Princesses is a wonderful family show filled with fun, magic, beauty, intrigue, and happy endings. It closes on Saturday, so gather up your own royal family and get to Midvale before The Dancing Princesses dance away.
Titus Productions Theatre Co. presents The Dancing Princesses by Jake Anderson.
Midvale Performing Arts Center, 695 West Center St (7720 South) Midvale, Utah 84047
August 9-11, 2018 7:00 PM, Thurs-Sat, Sat matinee 2:00 PM
Tickets: $10
Contact: 385-313-0278
Midvale Performing Arts Facebook Page
Titus Productions Theatre Co. Facebook Page
The Dancing Princesses Facebook event
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