'Prince's Diaries' teaches it's OK to just be yourself

Three dozen children participate in this musical.
By L. CROW
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
Two local artists have teamed up to create a children's theater musical to be performed through Stage Left Players. Called "The Prince's Diaries," this one-act play will be performed entirely by children, but playwright Kandace Cleland says it will be enjoyable for adults and children alike.
Cleland, who has been the theater arts teacher at Canfield Middle School for nine years, wrote the play as a new venture: a nontraditional fairy tale that incorporates familiar elements of other fairy tales.
Cleland said she began writing children's plays because the plays that are available are often not satisfactory, and talk down to children. "Children are more 'with it' than that," she said. "This play has a happy ending with a positive message, that is, it is OK to be whom you are. It deals with issues that kids explore, and says it is OK if you do not fit the mold. If you are a boy and you like sports, that is fine, but if you'd rather read, that is fine, too. If you are a girl who is a 'tomboy,' that is also OK. It is about a search for everyone to find an identity they are comfortable with."
Doesn't want to take over
The story is about Prince Dilbert, who is a bookworm and into magic. He finds a book called "The Book of Incomprehensible Wonders." His father, the king, married Queen Myrna, who becomes Dilbert's nasty stepmother. They live in the Kingdom of Fruitopia. The king is ready to retire, but Dilbert is not interested in taking over the kingdom. Myrna, however, is. She married the king to get power, but it has turned out to be a nightmare for her.
The king throws a festival hoping the prince will get caught up in the excitement, and want to rise to his responsibility. Meanwhile, the queen hopes the king will have a heart attack. She calls forth Hector the Dragon to steal Lady Lucille, who loves the prince. The prince is forced to rescue her, because it is his duty, but he knows nothing about sword fighting. The ending has a happy twist, and everyone gets what they want and is comfortable with who they are.
The music was written by Jodine Pilmer, known throughout the area as a music director, having just directed the music for the Youngstown Playhouse production of "Nunsense." She also teaches two days a week at Trumbull Arts Academy/Arts EXCEL.
"There are nine songs, and we have a little pit orchestra with two keyboards, drum and guitar," said Pilmer. "Kandy wrote the lyrics and had an idea of the style of music she wanted. We are using many different styles: tango, waltz, soft shoe, ballad, gospel."
Nick Opritza is doing the choreography.
"In all, 36 kids will participate in this play," said Cleland. "We have a very strong children's program at Stage Left, so children from all over the area join us. There are at least 12 from Canfield. About 60 initially tried out, so it was very hard to choose."