Energetic Team Succeeds in Stage East's Comic Play

Stage East’s latest production, The Brothers Grimm: Spectaculathon, has united a group of 25 collaborators and sparked hope of a continuing theater revival in Eastport. “I’m proud of what we’ve been able to achieve,” said director Brian Schuth.

Director Brian Schuth gives cast and crew notes after a rehearsal. Photo by Manuela Brice.

The material was chosen for its zany, high-energy nature, which reminded Schuth of Every Christmas Story Ever Told (and Then Some!), a past favorite—Grimm too aims to stack the plot lines—all 209 of the German folklorists’ collected tales into one show.

The glib script, emceed by narrators Schuth and Arielle Richardson, reveals that “… the actual Grimm fairy tales are, many of them, grim. They have bizarre violent outbursts, present behaviors that we find offensive, etc. This gives us some license to be wild and crazy,” notes Schuth, “as well as to make goodnatured fun out our own foibles and scruples.”

The piece called for an immersive fairy tale world—expressed through a well realized set, detailed costuming, many props, and a team of limber performers. In true ‘takes a village’ fashion, devoted volunteers stepped up to divvy up the tasks, onstage and off.

Kristine Gordon adds details to the backdrop. Photo by Jude Kempe.

“I said should they ever need help painting the sets,” said Kristine Gordon to a friend in the cast, “I'd be happy to come help. Just over a week later I was putting paint to board, and committing to this as much time and energy as possible.” Gordon worked with Éric Messin, Jude Kempe, and Damon and Kieran Weston on set design and painting; meanwhile Cookie Repp and Nancy Tintle (also cast members) had hands full with props and costumes.

Flanked by Paula Horvath as the witch and Colin Shank as Hansel, Cookie Repp gives a hilarious performance as Gretel. Photo by Manuela Brice.

Memorably portraying a heavily-accented (yet always perfectly clear) Gretel, a deadpan droll yokel, ‘Chet’, and a theatening Raven, Repp spent time off stage challenged with the show’s prop needs—including a custom Rapunzel wig and wearable boat. She noted, “It is easier to do the props than memorize the lines!”

Zachary Davis woos Ashley McLaughlin (Cinderella), while Schuth narrates. Photo by Manuela Brice.

Two in the cast are newcomers, and doing a lot of heavy lifting, while enjoying the chance to lean into the supportive embrace of fellow cast. Zachary Davis, playing (hilariously) six roles, is a comedic stunner. “I expected to be treated as an inferior,” said Davis, “like most professions or roles I have taken on throughout life. It was refreshing and a relief to be so welcome and equal in Stage East.”

Marcelina Messin, out fishing, is interviewed by narrators Brian Schuth and Arielle Richardson. Photo by Manuela Brice.

Marcelina Messin, one of the multitasking heroines of the piece, noted, “When you act, you’re allowing others to see your strengths but also your vulnerabilities. It really connects you. The cast is like one big team and you all need to work together to create the show.”

“The play works and has been making audiences laugh,” notes Schuth, “because we have a team of actors that are willing to put out immense energy and commit to the wildness of the material.”