The Snow Queen brings adventure, magic, and interactive fun to the holiday season at the Bonstelle Theatre

DETROIT –The Bonstelle Theatre opens an adaptation by Tyler J. Monroe of one of Hans Christian Andersen’s most popular fairy tales, The Snow Queen, just in time for the holiday season, running from November 30 to December 9, 2012. This classic children’s fairytale is a holiday treat, and the Bonstelle Theatre’s production will include a pre-show craft activity for children starting 45 minutes prior to curtain time. Roses and snowflakes will be made in the upstairs lobby and used by children to interact with the show. Tickets are $12 – $15 and are available by calling the Bonstelle Theatre Box Office at (313) 577-2960, online at www.bonstelle.com, or by visiting the box office in the Hilberry Theatre located at 4743 Cass Avenue on the corner of Hancock.

The Snow Queen is a tale about the capture of a young boy, Kai, by the evil Snow Queen and a young heroine’s journey to rescue him. The heroine of the story, a girl named Gerda, who is Kai’s best friend, must traverse through a world filled with a number of eccentric and dangerous characters to find and free Kai from the Snow Queen’s spell. Using puppets, music and supernatural magic, The Snow Queen is a show that celebrates childhood and its ideals, while important messages like devotion, bravery, and the triumph of love are explored throughout the story.

Hans Christian Andersen’s The Snow Queen was adapted by Tyler J. Monroe in 2011, during his second year in the Dramaturgy MFA program through Harvard University. The play premiered at the American Repertory Theatre in December 2011, and was directed by Allegra Libonati, who is also the guest director of the Bonstelle Theatre’s production of The Snow Queen. “The Snow Queen is a show where you can bring family members of all ages and everyone can take away a part of the story,” said Libonati. “If families can be swept away in this fairytale, go on a journey together, and be inspired by the strength of a little girl alone in the North Pole, that would be a wonderful thing.”

Hans Christian Andersen was a Danish author who became internationally known for his fairy tales, some of which have become adapted into or inspired notable Disney films, such as The Little Mermaid, The Ugly Duckling, and The Emperor’s New Groove. “I was also really moved by Hans Christian Andersen’s life story,” said Libonati. “He was told by his mother, after his father died, that the Snow Queen had taken

his father away. Later in his life, he created a story of two best friends who are separated by the Snow Queen. We watch as little Gerda, through her blind faith and deep devotion is able to find Kai at the end of the earth, and save his life. I think there is a deep message in this show, embedded in a fantastical and spectacular world.”

The cast for The Snow Queen includes (in alphabetical order):

Zee Bricker as Robber Queen, Mackenzie Conn (Walled Lake, MI) as Snow Queen, Zyle Christian-Cook as Goblin, Kristin Dawn-Dumas (Detroit, MI) as Gerda, Jacqueline Fenton (Allen Park, MI) as Grandma, Katie Foster as Rose 1, Garett Harris (Royal Oak, MI) as Prince, Sharayah Johnson (Birch Run, MI) as Flower Witch, Gaia Klotz (Midland, MI) as Swallow 1, Alexis Mabry as Princess, Syndey Macheskey (Shelby Township, MI) as Sun, Jackson McLaskey (Mt. Clemens, MI) as Raven, Michael Meike (Clinton Township, MI) as Grandpa, Brittany Michael as Robber Girl, Jon Pigott (Wyandotte, MI) as Swallow 2, Aeisha Reese (Flint, MI) as Rose 2, Luke Rose (Harrison Township) as Reindeer, and Nicholas Yocum (Royal Oak, MI) as Kai.

The production team includes:

Allegra Libonati (Director), Cheryl Turski (Assistant Director), Michael Waldrup (Stage Manager), Meghan Lynch (Assistant Stage Manager), Fred Florkowski (Scenic Designer), Lisa Berg (Assistant Scenic Designer), Anthony Karpinski (Properties Master), Mary Copenhagen (Costume Designer), Samuel G. Byers (Lighting Designer), Gabriel Rice (Sound Designer), and Alexandra Stewart (Publicity Manager).

About the Bonstelle Theatre

The Bonstelle Theatre is a Broadway-style House with a 1,143-seat auditorium featuring a balcony. Here, future stars of theatre, film, and television follow in the footsteps of such successful alumni as Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning S. Epatha Merkerson (NBC’s Law and Order, Lackawanna Blues), Lily Tomlin (9 to 5, ABC’s Desperate Housewives) and Ernie Hudson (Ghostbusters, NBC’s Heroes). For box office hours and information on performances, tickets, group discounts and corporate packages, please call the box office at (313) 577-2960 or visit the theatre’s website at www.bonstelle.com.

Season sponsored by CBS Outdoor, Between the Lines and Encore Michigan.

Calendar Information:

Thursday 10 a.m. Dec. 6

Friday 8 p.m. Nov. 30, Dec. 7

Saturday 8 p.m. Dec. 1, Dec. 8

Sunday 2 p.m. Dec. 2, Dec. 9