YOUTH THEATER Project will feature an interactive brunch

A Christmas play is also planned by the group.
By L. CROW
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
YOUNGSTOWN -- The Youngstown Playhouse Youth Theater will present two events in December that will be fun for adults and children alike.
On Dec. 3, 10 and 17, YPYT will host a "Cinderella Brunch" in the Playhouse's Moyer Room. "Several years ago, I was asked to participate in a fundraising ball at the Ronald McDonald House," said Patricia Fagan, youth theater director. "We got the idea from that project to have an interactive brunch, using Cinderella characters.
"It takes place the morning after the ball, when Cinderella has reverted back to wearing rags, and the coach, the horses, the magic is gone. The prince arrives with the king and queen, looking for the lady whose foot fits the slipper. They go around to tables to see if anyone wants to try on the shoe. The wicked stepmother and ugly stepsisters will go around asking if anyone has seen Cinderella, who will be clearing dishes and hanging coats. A fairy godmother will also go around taking wishes. Children will be playing these roles, from teens on down to youngsters. In the end, Cinderella will disappear, and return, dressed as a princess."
The cost is $5 for children and $7 for adults, and the money will be pumped back into the youth program, according to Fagan, who added, "If this goes well, we may try it with other fairy tale characters."
The buffet brunch, which begins at 12:30 p.m.,, will consist of smiley-face potatoes, silver dollar pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage, rolls muffins, breakfast cookies, cereal, juice, milk and coffee. There will also be activities at the tables, such as coloring, and table favors.
And if the fairy godmother doesn't grant your wish, you have another shot at it, because Santa will appear at the exit.
Christmas play
The Youth Theater will also present "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever," first for school daytime performances, then for the general public. Originally a book by Barbara Robinson, it was adapted for a play by the author.
"It has become a classic in the world of children's theater," said Fagan.
"Pageant" is the story of a young mother, Grace Bradley, who is putting on a church Christmas play with the worst kids -- a parent's nightmare. The six Herdman kids are mean bullies who have never heard the story of Jesus. They get the main parts of Mary and Joseph, the wise men, and the Angel of the Lord, because the other children are afraid of them.
"It is really a story within a story," said Fagan. "There is a transformation for everyone. The Herdman children begin to personally recognize themselves as refugees, outcasts from society, because the other children in the community come from more affluent families. When the child who plays Mary becomes so moved by her plight, she begins to cry onstage. Not only are the Herdman children changed, but the whole community begins to look at this family through different eyes. That is what we want to happen, to internalize the lesson. The play points out the humanity of Mary and Joseph. We hope it will carry the message forward."
The youth theater will be present this play for school daytime performances from Dec. 5-9, and to the public Dec. 10, at 2:30 p.m. at a cost of $5 for children, and $7 for adults. There will be cookies and punch afterwards and an "autograph" party with the performers.
For tickets, call (330) 788-8739. Reservations are necessary.