Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey kicks off its 2023 Classics for Kids! Series with a staged reading of The Little Prince from Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s classic novella. This script by Rick Cummins and John Scoullar features STNJ favorites from the company with guest artist Peri Gilpin as The Rose. Directed by Artistic Director Bonnie Monte, who has also done the production design and the projected drawings inspired by the original art by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry with Lighting Design by Steven Beckel.
Monte’s spare stage design was perfection in suggestion. Who needs an entire plain when it is literally just a vehicle for the story. Fine storytelling relies on the skills of the actors and these are the best. Jon Barker’s Aviator was genuinely charming – with theater for young audiences, they smell pandering and this was done to a tee. David Mattle’s Little Prince was very poised for such a young performer and we can clearly expect much from the youngest member of the cast. Guest artist Peri Gilpin’s Rose tugged at the heartstrings, disarmingly demanding yet fraught with caring. Company favorites Dino Curia, Isaac Hickox-Young and new arrival Caroline Leys played multiple roles, my favorite was the trio as the Wall of Roses complete with cascading frissons of giggles. Greg Jackson’s Fox was full of cunning mischief, yet it was Billie Wyatt’s Snake who fascinatingly captivates the Little Prince, along with the audience, who immediately sees in the wily Wyatt the quickest way back to his home.
Fans of the novella were able to secure a unique collectible – a paperback of The Little Prince signed by Gilpin, Barker and Mattle, oh MY! Of course I have one, a lovely keepsake from a great performance that reminded me that we all still have our child’s heart within.
August 12 featured two shows, at 11:00AM and 2:00PM with the next production, The Dragon King – A Tanglewood Marionettes Production, coming November 4 and the final in the series December 16, a staged reading of Hans Christian Anderson’s “The Snow Queen”. Get your tickets and more details now at www.ShakespeareNJ.org for favorite shows of the ages, for all ages.