BY KELLY DOLEJSI
Los Alamos Little Theatre
What’s big and bad and smells like bacon? It must be Los Alamos Little Theatre’s upcoming production of Tracy Wells’s “Twice Upon a Time.”
The show for all ages, directed by Holly Robinson, features the classic fairy tales you know and love with some notably hilarious edits. The show opens this weekend, running March 8-17, with evening performances at 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. matinee performances on both Sundays, at the Performing Arts Center, 1670 Nectar St.
For matinee performances, LALT is happy to introduce a special ticket pricing, Twice Upon A Ticket! Children 6 and younger will be admitted free with the purchase of a regular ticket. Children ages 7-12 will be admitted for half price with the purchase of a regular ticket. Matinees will also feature a special “story time” seating area on the floor for children who want to sit closer to the stage. It is recommended to bring a blanket or pillow to sit on for “story time” seating.
Director Robinson said theater is her passion, and one she loves sharing with the next generation.
“I think the theater is so important for kids,” she said. “For some of these kids, this is their first production ever, and I love that. It’s so exciting. I really want to inspire upcoming generations to love theater.”
Producer Wendy Caldwell Lanchier agreed, adding that “kids are the absolute best audience you could ask for. They love everything. They’re so expressive. Adults often hold back, but kids will straight-up boo the bad guys and laugh out loud and cheer. They have the most genuine reactions, and I love it.”
“I love how this show is for both children and adults, age 3 through grandparent,” said Assistant Director Stacy Buck.
Kids not only make great audiences. They also make wonderful actors, said Stage Manager Megan Pimentel. “It’s always impressive to see what kids can accomplish.”
“Twice Upon a Time,” which runs for about an hour, includes a series of short vignettes, each one encapsulating a new-and-improved, grandmother-approved fairytale.
“It’s hilarious,” Pimentel said.
“The princesses aren’t what you would imagine,” Buck said, refusing to give anything more away.
Caldwell Lanchier said that doing shows for kids or that are kid-friendly is a great way to introduce them to the performing arts. “This show is short, so even the little ones can enjoy it. Bringing the wonder of childhood and classic stories to the stage is our way of saying that we see you, you matter, and you can do this, too. Having kids in the show shows other kids how talented kids can be. And because our target audience can’t drive, it’s good to do a show that’s fun for the whole family.”
The show features a large cast with many local children and adults — who regularly crack up the show’s entire production team.
“Everyone can enjoy this one,” said Caldwell Lanchier. “The grown-ups will laugh and have fun, too. And maybe this show will remind them why it’s so important to just have fun and be silly sometimes.”
To purchase tickets for the Sunday matinees, click here: Twice Upon a Time: Sunday Matinees. To purchase tickets to our Friday/Saturday evening shows, click here: Twice Upon A Time: Evening Shows.
“Twice Upon a Time” is produced by special arrangement with Pioneer Drama Service, Denver, Colorado.
Links for purchasing tickets also appear on LALT’s website, www.lalt.org.