The U.S. Constitution says a person cannot be tried twice for the same crime.
But that only applies to American citizens, not fairy tale characters.
Once again, the Big Bad Wolf and the Wicked Witch (alias: The Evil Queen) will stand trial for all the fictional havoc they’ve wreaked during storytime as the Oxford Middle School Drama Club presents ‘Fairy Tale Courtroom.?
The comedic play will hit the stage in the Oxford High School Performing Arts Center on Thursday, Jan. 29 and Friday, Jan. 30. Both performances will commence at 7:01 p.m.
Admission if $5 for adults and proceeds benefit the drama club. Kids age 18 and under are free.
‘I think it’s good for all ages,? said Director Jack Gray, a teacher at OMS.
This will be the second time the OMS Drama Club has performed ‘Fairy Tale Courtroom.? The first was in March 2006.
Given this is Gray’s 10th middle school play serving as director, he decided to return to his roots by bringing his first show back to the stage.
‘This one kind of brought it all back to me ? why I started (directing these plays) in the first place,? he explained. ‘It’s a lot of work, but I really do enjoy it. Kids really love that connection with the audience. They love getting involved and performing. And I love being a part of that. Kids are a lot of fun.?
The two-act courtroom farce places the two most infamous fairy tale fiends on trial.
For centuries, the Big Bad Wolf (played by Scott Spivey) and the Wicked Witch (played by Majerle Marshall) have done their absolute worst to prevent everyone around them from living happily ever after.
Their victims include Little Red Riding Hood (Megan Bouren), the Three Little Pigs (Kaitlyn Fox, Gabrielle Gadoua and Raven Chalabian), Dorothy of Kansas (Alyssa Donovan), Snow White (Emma Vawter) Sleeping Beauty (Paige Hodder) and others.
Now it’s time for these villains to finally face justice for their despicable deeds.
A flying monkey (Anne Cobble), a magic mirror (Audrey Miller), several dwarfs and even two gluttonous little German kids named Hansel and Gretel (Brendan McGeen and Beth Devlin) will all take the stand to provide hilarious and wacky testimony.
The audience will serve as the jury, so each trial has two endings depending on the verdict.
‘It’s just a lot of fun,? Gray said. ‘The characters are big and fun to play. There’s a lot of puns. It’s pretty fast-paced.?
Gray said the current cast is a ‘fantastic group? of actors and actresses, but they might be just a little cocky judging by their reactions after watching a video of the 2006 performance.
‘They think they’re way better than the original cast, but I pointed out to them several times, with the original cast, everybody hit their cues, nobody forgot their lines, everybody was on time and there. They did a great job,? he said.
Gray has been inviting members of the 2006 cast to attend next week’s performances.
‘I’ve got about four or five kids, who are in their 20s now, coming to the show,? he said. ‘It’s going to be a cool experience.?
He’s hoping to get some photos of current and original cast members together.
‘I think that would be a special treat,? Gray said.
The rest of the 2015 cast includes Natalie Karnegis (Judge), Andrew Romano (Clerk), Victoria Huntsman (Bailiff), Fiona Corcoran (District Attorney 1), Julia Brown (Granny), Joseph Wilkins (Boy who cried wolf), Finn Murray (Badger), Claire Alexander (Defense Attorney), Hannah Buday (District Attorney 2), McKenzie Miller (Scarecrow), Ian Malinowski (Prince), Ben Fracker (Sleepy), Amanda Holcomb (Grumpy), Kiara Henery (Dopey), Jordan Hung (Happy), Libby Hartman (Sneezy), Becca Smiles (Bashful) and Lauren Schiller (Doc) and Kristina Klink (short order chef).
Break a leg, guys!