March 29, 2024

NCT to present kids’ plays Friday night

The Newton Community Theatre will perform two productions Friday at its auditorium at the Newton YMCA. The shows begin at 7 p.m. with “Hercules,” followed by “The Brothers Grimm: Out of Order.”

“Hercules,” written by Craig Sodaro, is a modern-language comedy that retells the ancient Greek tale. Hercules’ girlfriend, Megara, has been poisoned by Hera, who is jealous, and now he must complete eight tasks for Hera, or lose Megara’s love forever.

The problem: Hercules is just a young human man. He can’t perform any great feats of strength, nor is he particularly clever. You’ll have to see the production to find out how he humbles the cocky Stymphalian birds, gets the best of the shady Arcadian stag, resists the Erymanthian Bore, cleans up King Augeus’ act and gives the Hydra heads a new hairdo to be reunited with Megara.

In “The Brothers Grimm: Out of Order,” Jake and Will Grimm can’t agree on a script and get into a fight, which results in pages of their respective stories being swapped and their plots intermingled. Jake likes blood and guts; Will likes fluffy bunnies and happy endings — which results in a complete mess.

To make matters worse, the principal will be coming to see their show in less than half an hour.

Their co-mingled story now has Hansel and Jorinda on their way to meet the stage mother and her two evil “step-daughters,” Gretel and Joringel. Meanwhile, Rapunzel, who’s been demoted from ingénue to character actress, wants her son, Prince Charming, to go to the Gingerbread Castle for a ball to meet his true love, the evil witch Cinderella.

With name-calling, finger pointing and lots of “I quits,” the entire show collapses just as the principal arrives.  But all is not lost. You will have to see the production to find out how the producer rallies the troops and helps everyone find their way to “happily ever after.”

Tickets for Friday night’s show will be sold for $8 each at the door.