Clothes don't make the man in next BC production
By Joanne Fox Journal staff writer | Posted: Friday, January 11, 2008
"Emperor" Justin Johnson, front, is teased by Nicholas Schoenfelder, Stephen Crann, Sara Arbuckle, Clare Ellis, Crystal Randall, Anastacia Martinez and Daniel Stump as they rehearse "The Emperor's New Clothes," the next production of the Briar Cliff University Theatre Department. (Staff photo by Jim Lee)
The next production of the Briar Cliff University Theatre Department puts a "new" cover on a traditional fairy tale.
"The Emperor's New Clothes" is a children's story updated version by Richard Poole, who also serves as director of the show.
"I like it the story," Poole said of the Danish tale first published in 1837. "I tried to make it snappier, livelier and more active for a younger audience."
The adaptation follows the antics of two bumbling wannabee tailors as they stumble through hilarious attempts to gain riches and fame by bamboozling a good-hearted but self-absorbed ruler.
Once upon a time, Hans Christian Anderson wrote, there lived a vain Emperor (Justin Johnson) whose only worry in life was to dress in elegant clothes.
The emperor gave two con men, Mowg (Nicholas Schoenfelder) and Cronk (Steve Crann), a bag of gold coins in exchange for their promise to begin working on the fabric for some new clothes. The farce continues as these "tailors" weave the fabric and pretend with great flourish to cut into thin air.
Ultimately, the scoundrels convince the emperor his subjects would like to see his new clothes, so he struts out his new stuff, confident that only the "stupid and incompetent" would not see the clothes.
In Anderson's version, only one young boy was brave enough to challenge the scam, proclaiming the famous line, "But the emperor has no clothes." Poole tweaked that a bit.
"As the emperor comes out with no new clothes on, the crowd begins laughing," Poole said. "I chose that approach to engage the minds of the youngsters in the audience so they could see for themselves what the emperor could not."
Again in Anderson's version, the emperor, to his credit, holds his head high and finishes the procession.
"In our version, the emperor isn't quite as gracious," Poole said. "He reacts with a bit more bluster and frustration."
But the moral of the story remains and Poole said that is "clothes do not make the man."
"The emperor is a selfish, bumbling jerk and it's referenced in the play that nobody wants to have a relationship with him because of his attitude," he said. "Then he thinks that exterior items, such as the made-to-order, special clothes will endear him to others."
Poole said the story is a good play, "tailored" to fit a younger audience, but certainly for individuals of all ages.
"The tale has a great moral that anyone can learn from," Poole said. "Just because everyone says something is true, doesn't mean it is."
"The Emperor's New Clothes" runs through Saturday with 7:30 p.m. performances and a 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday. Tickets are $4 for adults, $2 for children and senior citizens. For reserved seats, call the box office, 279-5542, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
"The Emperor's New Clothes" is a children's story updated version by Richard Poole, who also serves as director of the show.
"I like it the story," Poole said of the Danish tale first published in 1837. "I tried to make it snappier, livelier and more active for a younger audience."
The adaptation follows the antics of two bumbling wannabee tailors as they stumble through hilarious attempts to gain riches and fame by bamboozling a good-hearted but self-absorbed ruler.
Once upon a time, Hans Christian Anderson wrote, there lived a vain Emperor (Justin Johnson) whose only worry in life was to dress in elegant clothes.
The emperor gave two con men, Mowg (Nicholas Schoenfelder) and Cronk (Steve Crann), a bag of gold coins in exchange for their promise to begin working on the fabric for some new clothes. The farce continues as these "tailors" weave the fabric and pretend with great flourish to cut into thin air.
Ultimately, the scoundrels convince the emperor his subjects would like to see his new clothes, so he struts out his new stuff, confident that only the "stupid and incompetent" would not see the clothes.
In Anderson's version, only one young boy was brave enough to challenge the scam, proclaiming the famous line, "But the emperor has no clothes." Poole tweaked that a bit.
"As the emperor comes out with no new clothes on, the crowd begins laughing," Poole said. "I chose that approach to engage the minds of the youngsters in the audience so they could see for themselves what the emperor could not."
Again in Anderson's version, the emperor, to his credit, holds his head high and finishes the procession.
"In our version, the emperor isn't quite as gracious," Poole said. "He reacts with a bit more bluster and frustration."
But the moral of the story remains and Poole said that is "clothes do not make the man."
"The emperor is a selfish, bumbling jerk and it's referenced in the play that nobody wants to have a relationship with him because of his attitude," he said. "Then he thinks that exterior items, such as the made-to-order, special clothes will endear him to others."
Poole said the story is a good play, "tailored" to fit a younger audience, but certainly for individuals of all ages.
"The tale has a great moral that anyone can learn from," Poole said. "Just because everyone says something is true, doesn't mean it is."
"The Emperor's New Clothes" runs through Saturday with 7:30 p.m. performances and a 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday. Tickets are $4 for adults, $2 for children and senior citizens. For reserved seats, call the box office, 279-5542, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
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