Theatre for Young Audiences: Prince Ananias

Name: Theatre for Young Audiences: Prince Ananias
Start: 2025-08-23T14:00:00-05:00
End: 2025-08-23T15:30:00-05:00
Location: Devonshire Cultural Center

Schedule

Sat Aug 23 2025 at 02:00 pm to 03:30 pm

UTC-05:00

Location

Devonshire Cultural Center | Skokie, IL

Great Lakes Operetta is proud to present a special, kid-friendly version of the never-recorded, rarely-performed operetta, Victor Herbert's "Prince Ananias" at the Devonshire Cultural Center in Skokie. Composed in 1894, this was the first stage work written by Victor Herbert, who the Library of Congress has called "the Grandfather of American Musical Theatre." This one-hour version is the perfect way to introduce kids to the wonderful world of operetta! Before the show, there will be a short pre-show educational talk to help kids and their families learn about this important work of American musical history. After the show, kids can take photos and chat with the cast...PLUS enjoy a mini Renaissance Faire with games, crafts, and face-painting!
STORY
In a faraway kingdom long ago, a small traveling theatrical troupe, La Fontaine's Fabulous Folktale Players, struggles to attract audiences. That's okay for George le Grabbe, an infamous outlaw who is currently hiding out with the theatrical troupe...but not for La Fontaine, the leader of the troupe, who desperately wants her troupe to perform for King Boniface and successfully make him laugh (which no one has been able to do for years). Enter Louis, a small-time con man and former friend of George. George and Louis hatch a scheme to infiltrate the Court of King Boniface and to pretend to turn George in to the King for the reward money, with Louis posing as the fake "Prince Ananias." Can Louis and George successfully carry out their scheme? Can La Fontaine and her troupe make the King laugh? And will anyone discover that "Prince Ananias" is a fake? With mistaken identities, silly disguises, and complex schemes gone hilariously wrong, this madcap story - peppered with delightful music and top-notch singing - is sure to make kids and adults laugh... even if King Boniface doesn't!
CAST
~ Louis (a.k.a. Prince Ananias), an Adventurer - Alexander Quackenbush
~ George le Grabbe, the Famous Outlaw - Katherine Dalin
~ La Fontaine, Manager of a Band of Strolling Players - Jamie Woodhull
~ Eugenia, La Fontaine's Assistant - Isabel Schmitz
~ Idalia, La Fontaine's Leading Lady - Eunice Ayodele
~ Ninette, a Village Belle - Mary Buckingham
~ King Boniface - Jack W. Ellis
CREATIVE TEAM
~Stage Director - Elijah McTiernan
~Music Director - Jade Dashá
~Collaborative Pianist - Andrew Milliken
~Educational/Pre-Show Talk & Adaptation - Eunice Ayodele
~ Producers - SarahAnn Sutter & Kristin W**d
~This production is presented in collaboration with the Devonshire Culture Center and the Skokie Park District~