Posted July 22, 2009

Rats Have Over-Run The Town ... What To Do?

The Pied Piper makes his way onto the Mac-Haydn stage in an adventurous tale performing July 24, 25, 31, and August 1.

Rats have over-run the town of Koppleburg, and the Mayor and Council are doing nothing to stop them! The magical Pied Piper appears and promises to rid the town of the pests, but when the rats are gone and he tries to collect his fee from the town officials, they refuse to pay it.

The Piper has played a happy song for the town children, but he changes that tune and leads them away when the officials don't keep their word. When the crippled child Tammy tells the townspeople about this, wise Grandma Trillium leads them to action. Soon, families are reunited, the Piper is paid, and the story ends happily for all -- even the rats have their revenge.

Wesley Urish plays the Piper. He has had the feature roles of Barnaby Tucker in Hello, Dolly!, and the Tumbling Carpet in Disney's Beauty and the Beast. Jennifer Bishop, who played The Narrator in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, will be Grandma Trillium.

Tammy will be played by Robyn Spateholts. The Mac-Haydn Senior Apprentice was featured as Susan Waverly in White Christmas two seasons ago, and has been in Children's Theatre shows for two summers.

Also in the cast are Jared Jacobs (Big Daddy in Sweet Charity) as Big Rat, Amelia Millar as Sister Rat, Shiloh Turek as Little Rat, Rich Krakowski (Joseph in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat) as Martin Adams, Ryan Owens as the Butcher, Chelsea Wengler as Prudence Brooks, Quinto Ott (Cogsworth in Disney's Beauty and the Beast) as the Mayor, and Lauren Sprance as the Town Councilperson.

Young performers from the area include Quinn Balli, Kaylee Kannes, Luca Pearl Khosrova, Sarinah Pond, Ludy Rodt, Amelia and Sarah Stapleton, and Caili Wachtel, who will play dual roles as rats and town children.

The Pied Piper is directed by Kelly L. Shook, who received raves as director/choreographer of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

Mac-Haydn Children's Theatre shows are suitable for all ages, however, adults are encouraged to bring a child for maximum enjoyment. Performances are Friday and Saturday mornings at 10:30. After the show, the youngsters can meet the characters and get autographs on their very own Mac-Haydn autograph books! Tickets for children of all ages are $9. Group rates are available. Mastercard and Visa accepted. No cancellations or refunds. Fully air conditioned. Call 518-392-9292 for information and reservations.

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