Friday Harbor Middle School Players present a tongue-in-cheek look at storybook classics

Friday Harbor Middle School presents a different take on storybook classics in “Mother Goose is Eaten by Werewolves,” Friday, Saturday and Sunday in the San Juan Community Theatre.

This tongue-in-cheek comedy will make you laugh — and perhaps make you a little nervous, as a mysterious wolf wanders the theater during the performance.

A fairy godmother, a prince and a witch add color to the show as they attempt to portray the storybook version of “Sleeping Beauty” for the audience.

Other characters, such as Philodendron, Rotodendron, Zingo, King Shrimptoast, Bertha Ratcatcher and Stella Armpit, add a twist of absurdity.

Here’s a line from King Bunnington about Bertha Ratcatcher:

“She is wearing a lovely dress made of burlap sacking and rat fur. Her hobbies include catching rats and talking to rats. Her best friend is her rat, Ratty. Isn’t she a dream? Next, we have Stella Armpit. Stella runs the village wash pit. She says she can identify any stain just by licking it. Isn’t she a treat in a gown she’s made herself out of underwear that’s been left at the wash pit?”

“Mother Goose is Eaten by Werewolves” is a first performance for half the cast. There are a total of 28 actors performing in the play, and six actors performing in the four fractured fairy tales at the beginning of the show.

“The play is like a maze of plot directions constantly changing,” said Fred Yockers, drama director of the Friday Harbor Middle School Players, said of the production.

“This is an opportunity for young beginning actors to get a sense of comic timing and characterization, how you tell a joke, and how you deliver a funny line.”

He added, “Beware of the werewolf. The werewolf can be anywhere in the theatre.”

Dozens of parents volunteered to help with costumes, food, gathering props, hair, make-up, painting, set designs, supervision. Volunteer Sierra Stratton is the backstage crew boss.

The play begins at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday. A matinee is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Sunday. For tickets, contact the box office at 378-3211 or visit www.sjctheatre.org.

At A Glance
— What: “Mother Goose is Eaten by Werewolves,” a production of the Friday Harbor Middle School Players.
— When: Friday and Saturday, 7 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m.
— Where: San Juan Community Theatre.
— Tickets: Call 378-3211 or visit sjctheatre.org.

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