The critically acclaimed Occidental Children’s Theater will present "Han Solo and Gretel," an original story, plus three adaptations of traditional folktales in its 13th season in the Remsen Bird Hillside Theater on the Occidental campus July 10 through Aug. 23.
In about an hour, a cast of six students and recent Occidental alumni perform four energetic and funny stories without props, sets or special costumes, relying only on their acting and acrobatic skills. "Occidental Children's Theater's rambunctious charm hasn't faded a whit. The company is still one of L.A.'s little gems, an acrobatic outdoor theater romp presented with imagination and whiz-bang physicality," says the Los Angeles Times.
The scripts and the action for the tales are company-created and the result of weeks of improvisation and revision. The three traditional stories are the troupe’s new versions of existing folk tales from around the world. The title story was improvised by the actors and scripted by Jamie Angell, the theater’s founding artistic director. "The combined talent and ingenuity of the actors always surprises and delights me," Angell said. "From top to bottom, this company may be the most physically adept I’ve yet directed. I can’t wait to see what they have in store for us."
Beginning July 10, "Han Solo and Gretel" will be performed in the Hillside Theater at 10 a.m. every Thursday, Friday and Saturday through Aug. 23. Tickets are $9 for adults and $6 for children ages 2 through 12. Group rates are available. For more information, please call (323) 259-2771.
Occidental College is located at 1600 Campus Road in Eagle Rock. For a campus map and directions to the college, click here.
