At Three Bears Bistro
Student Cotsen Players present performances based on children's literature
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Dan Hafetz '02 as detective Jack Sprat (Photo by Rita Naninni) |
Gumshoe, loyal secretary and femme fatale: all the elements of '40s-style crime drama are here in The Fairy-land Detective Agency -- but with a difference.
The play is the first production of a new student theater troupe, the Cotsen Players, formed to present plays based on or inspired by children's literature.
Much of the dramatic action takes place in the Three Bears Bistro, offering a selection of cold, warm and seriously hot porridge.
Aficionados of humor for all ages, as well as of porridge, can visit the Bistro on February 26 at 9:15 am or at 10:30 am (for reservations, call 258-1148). Performances will be in the Cotsen Children's Library in Firestone Library, according to Bonnie Bernstein, outreach coordinator for the Cotsen collection. These performances are part of the offerings scheduled for families during Alumni and Parents Weekend.
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Yasmin Rahim '02 (l) and Christian Diegel '01
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Attracting children, parents
Towle, who was an intern last summer in the Cotsen Children's Library, developed the players in consultation with Bernstein. While the Cotsen Library is a research collection, which scholars access through the Department of Rare Books and Special Collections, "It's still a public space, containing interactive exhibits, to which we want to attract children, parents and visitors," Bernstein says. "The idea of plays based on children's literature, performed in the library, seemed natural."
Towle identified The Fairyland Detective Agency, written by Vin Morreale, after researching children's plays on the internet. "We wanted a vehicle that would entertain children but that, at the same time, would appeal to adults--and, of course, be fun for a student cast," she says.
To engage actors, "We had a booth at the September Activities Fair," Towle says. "Also, I asked my friends if they were interested."
They were, and the Players now number about 10 actors plus Andrew Fernandez '02, who handles lights and music. Though Towle came to Princeton with experience in musical theater, "Mostly it's a novice cast," she says. And while Towle has acted, danced and taught drama, this is her directorial debut.
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Premiere audience (Photos by Rita Naninni) |
The Cotsen Players is the only student group on campus aimed at an audience of families, Towle points out. "As a college student," she notes, "you're always with people your own age. It's a real pleasure to perform for a younger audience, to be a kid again yourself, to work with parents and families. You can be goofy. It's kind of a relief not to take everything so seriously."
She credits Bernstein with "giving us all kinds of help. She came in to open the gallery at night so we could rehearse; she brought in little treats for us; she even made some of the costumes." (Humpty Dumpty's outfit is an original Bernstein.)
The Players premiered in December, presenting Fairyland to an audience of Community House and Student Volunteers Council tutors, mentors and tutees.
"It's an important part of our outreach to support other service groups on campus," says Bernstein, "especially those who work with children in the community. CH and SVC kids will always be our first audience."
The Players will present "a limited number of engagements" for off-campus school and community groups, says Bernstein. There will also be a new production in April, an original play by Cotsen Player Noah Haidle '01.
In the meantime, check out the Three Bears Bistro on the 26th. Performances are free and open to families in the University community.
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