What do three disgruntled bears, a no nonsense Barbie and a wallaby dressed up like a judge have in common? They can all be found in the theater department’s new production, “Goldilocks on Trial.”
This play follows the story of a young boy, played by senior Jeff Stokes, who is sent to clean his room and instead decides to take his toys and set up a court trial to put Goldilocks from the children’s story “Goldilocks and the Three Bears” on trial for breaking into the bears’ house.
However, as the testimonies are told, the true story of what really happened that day becomes harder for the jury to figure out.
“There are flashbacks throughout the play of people [different characters] telling their story of what happened and they have their own spin on the story,” said junior Lauren Casteel, who plays Goldilocks.
Mary Handiboe, associate professor of theater arts and director of the play, said that many surprising twists and turns happen in this play that are completely different from the story line in “Goldilocks and the Three Bears.”
“You will never see Goldilocks in the same way,” she said.
“Goldilocks on Trial” is the theater department’s Children’s Theater production which means two of the matinées will be reserved for an elementary school group.
“This show is really good for younger kids,” Casteel said. “It’s just real fun and there are lots of bright characters. It’s almost like they’re in a big playhouse.”
Yet Handiboe said this play is not just for children and all ages should be able to enjoy it.
“I don’t like children’s shows that are just so young and goofy that it annoys older people,” said Mary Handiboe, associate professor of theater arts and “Goldilocks on Trial” director. “This one has a lot of literature references in it. There’s a lot of humor that the adults will get that the children will think it just goofy fun and the adults will actually catch the references.”
This play is quite a change from the Children’s Theater production from last year, “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe,” which had a serious underlying story. However, the actresses and actors are enjoying this change from the serious to the silly.
“It’s been a lot of fun,” said senior Heather Baker who plays a Barbie district attorney for the three bears. “Because the show is so light, you get to go in and just play every day. A lot of shows, you go and you have to do emotional prep work and you just feel really drained after rehearsals. This one – it’s just a really good way to end the day. It’s a time to forget about classes and tests and just be a kid again.”
Baker is also helping out with the Youth Theater Workshop, which is a new fundraiser the theater social club Theta Alpha Phi is organizing for children from Pre-K to 12th grade on Saturday at 1-4 p.m.
Cost for the workshop is $25 per child and each participant will receive one free ticket to a performance of their choice for “Goldilocks on Trial.”
“Goldilocks on Trial” performance times are Thursday – Saturday, Sept. 24-26, and Monday – Tuesday, Sept. 28-29, at 7 p.m. There will also be a 2:30 p.m. matinee performance on Sept. 27.
Tickets are $6 and can be purchased online at www.obu.edu/finearts or in person at the Jones Performing Arts Center Box Office weekdays from 2-5 p.m.
Ouachita students can receive one free ticket to the performance through the box office by showing student ID.
