 MACMH ispleased to announce the premiere of Fidgety Fairy Tales, a new musical that re-imagines some of our most memorable tales; in these versions, children with mental health disorders become the heroes of the tales. Fidgety is the first production of Open•UpTheatre, a youth performance company formed by the Minnesota Association for Children’s Mental Health (MACMH) to promote positive images of children with mental health disorders.
In this retelling of the classic tales Rapunzel, Sleeping Beauty, and Little Red Riding Hood, writer/director Matt Jenson and composer/lyricist Marya Hart have crafted a lively and thought-provoking production that artfully combats the negative and damaging stereotypes that surround mental illness. Their characters, all based on well-known fairy tale characters, have mental health disorders. Through the telling of each of their stories, the audience comes to see that people with disorders such as depression and AD/HD can just as readily be the heroes of the story.
Appropriate for all ages, Fidgety Fairy Tales is an hour-long musical performed by an ensemble of talented youth ages 10–18. Public performances begin on March 4 (see box for performance schedule). All Fidgety audience members will also receive the premiere issue of Open•Up Magazine, which features images and lyrics from the show as well as the compelling artwork of some of Minnesota’s most talented young artists.
About Fidgety’s Creative Team
Matt Jenson (writer/director) most recently choreographed the Children’s Theatre Company’s production of “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day” and University Opera’s “Seven Deadly Sins.” He teaches critical literacy, theatre, and dance at the Children’s Theatre Company, and co-ordinates arts-based public awareness projects for the Minnesota Association for Children’s Mental Health. He has created work for Minnesota Dance Theatre, the Rose Ensemble, the Weisman Art Museum, and others. His work has been supported by the McKnight Foundation and MN State Arts Board.
Marya Hart (composer/lyricist) most recently composed music for Stepping Stone Theater’s production of “Almost to Freedom” and History Theatre’s Raw Stages reading of “20 Days to Find a Wife.” She has also composed several productions for Frank Theatre. Marya teaches music at the Children’s Theatre Company. She performs throughout the Twin Cities and has performed with Ross Sutter since 1998. Honors include two Minnesota Music Awards, a Minnesota Theatre award, and a Jerome Foundation Travel/Study Fellowship. |
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Fidgety Fairy Tales Receives Warm Reception in Twin Cities
Fidgety Fairy Tales recently completed a 10-performance tour throughout the Twin Cities at such venues as the Minnesota Children’s Museum, the Mall of America and the St. Paul Jewish Community Center. Almost all of the free performances were filled to overflowing with students and families.
The cast of eight actors, ages 10 to 17 from all over the Twin Cities, enthralled audiences both young and old. It was like watching a magic spell spread over the crowd as even the most restless teens and rambunctious toddlers settled in to enjoy the show.
The feedback Fidgety Fairy Tales has received has been overwhelmingly positive. One teen from the University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview Behavioral Services Day Treatment Program wrote: “It was funny, educational, sad – everything to keep me paying attention.” A parent who attended a performance at the Minnesota Children’s Museum e-mailed: “My child who has AD/HD liked seeing Little Hood save the day.” Several mental health professionals have commented on the accuracy and honesty of the portrayals of children with mental health disorders. One professional said that it was like seeing the DSM-IV come to life!
After many, many requests, MACMH is now giving educators an opportunity to bring Fidgety Fairy Tales to their school. We are pleased to offer touring performances during May and October 2008. Scripts and/or workshops with director/playwright Matt Jenson and composer/lyricist Marya Hart are also available for those interested in having students create their own Fidgety Fairy Tales production.
Contact Matt Jenson at mjenson@macmh.org to find out how you can bring Fidgety to your organization!
Fidgety Fairy Tales is made possible, in part, by funds provided by the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council (MRAC) from an appropriation by the Minnesota Legislature and with funds provided by St. Paul STAR Program’s Cultural STAR project, financed in part by the Cultural Sales Tax Revitalization Program. |
