Arts & Entertainment
Goldilocks and the Three Bears: On Stage and In Court
The Northbrook Theatre's season opener offers a unique, legal twist on the classic children's story.
Families can enjoy an entertaining and educational romp through the woods with the musical Goldilocks and the Three Bears, opening Saturday, Oct. 20 at the .
The fun-filled production begins with the familiar story of a little girl who enters the bears’ home, damages their furniture and eats their breakfast. However, in this updated version of the classic fairy tale, the fur begins to fly when the bears decide to sue Goldilocks. They take her to court for breaking and entering, vandalism and stealing food.
“The stage becomes a courtroom and the audience becomes the jury,” said Gregory Dennhardt, Northbrook Theatre's Artistic Director, who wrote the show with Musical Director Lori Norton. “The play actually has two endings, depending on which verdict the audience chooses.”
According to Dennhardt, the musical can teach children about respect, asking for permission and the consequences of eating Baby Bear’s porridge.
“It will be understood on a multitude of levels by a multitude of ages," he said. "That’s one of the tests of a good children’s play: It can be enjoyed by the kid in an adult and by the kid who’s a true kid.”
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The interactive show opens the 18th season of the Northbrook Musical Theatre for Young Audiences, the North Shore’s only professional Equity theatre dedicated to the child and family audience.
Performances will be held on Saturdays at 10:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. through November 24. The show lasts about one hour. Tickets are $8 in advance and $10 online and at the door.
The professional theatre company, operated by the Northbrook Park District, also performs on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays by arrangement for schools and similar groups. The recommended age is 5 years or older.
The Northbrook Musical Theatre for Young Audiences produces three shows each season, from October through May. The other shows scheduled for the 2012-2013 season are Snow White (January 19 - February 23) and Freckleface – The Musical (March 30 - May 11).
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A grant from the Illinois Arts Council provides partial funding for the musicals. This season, a new FlexTix package provides tickets for all three of the shows for $18 per person. For tickets or more information, visit nbparks.org or call (847) 291-2367.
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