O pen•Up Theatre's "Fidgety Fairy Tales"
Premieres in St. Paul
New Musical Makes Children with
Mental Health Disorders the Heroes of the Story
In the Fall 2007 issue of the Networker, MACMH introduced its new arts-based community outreach with a Call for Submissions for the new literary and visual arts magazine, Open•Up. In this issue we are pleased 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•Up Theatre, 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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Touring Performance Calendar
Performances are free and open to the public but seating at some venues is limited. Reserve your spot at www.macmh.org or 651-268-1244.
Tuesday, March 4 • 6:30 pm
Destiny Center
1200 N 7th Street • Minneapolis • 55411
Friday, March 7 • 11 am & 7 pm
Children’s Museum
10 West Seventh Street • St. Paul • 55102
Saturday, March 8 • 7 pm
Children’s Museum
10 West Seventh Street • St. Paul • 55102
Monday, March 10 • 6:30 pm
Mall of America - Rotunda
I-494 and Hwy 77 • Bloomington • 55425
Tuesday, March 18 • 6:30 pm
St. Paul Jewish Community Center
1375 St. Paul Avenue • St. Paul • 55116
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.
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