Northwestern theatre to present children's play

“Tales of the Kingdom,” based on the book by the same name, written by David and Karen Mains, will be presented by Northwestern College theatre Oct. 24 at 7 p.m. and Oct. 25 at 4 p.m., during the college’s Raider Days homecoming and family weekend celebration. The family-friendly production will be presented in the Allen Theatre.

The cast is also presenting “Tales of the Kingdom” to schoolchildren every Tuesday and Thursday from Oct. 2 to Nov. 18.

Northwestern theatre graduate Hannah Barker Nickolay adapted the play, which is being directed by professor Jeff Barker. Nine actors will play multiple roles in three stories: “The Faithless Ranger,” “The Baker Who Loved Bread” and “The Girl Named Dirty.” The allegorical stories are set in Great Park, which is ruled by an exiled king, a caretaker and an old woman named Mercie.

Audiences will enjoy the forest look and sounds of Great Park, says Barker of the play’s technical effects which include simulated fire and rain. And because the stories include multiple layers of meaning, both children and adults will be entertained and challenged by each tales’ underlying symbolism and moral message.

The king will be played by freshman Warren Duncan, Urbandale, Iowa. Connor Roth, a sophomore from Granger, Iowa, is the caretaker, and junior Brianne Hassman, Spencer, Iowa, has the role of Mercie. The ranger, baker and girl named Dirty will be played by seniors Isaac Gross, Williams, Ariz.; Megan Vipond, Sergeant Bluff, Iowa; and Marisol Seys, Parkersburg, Iowa, respectively.

Tickets for “Tales of the Kingdom” are $8 for adults and $4 for students. (The Raider Days matinee on Oct. 25 is free for alumni and parents of current students.) The DeWitt Theatre box office opens Oct. 13 for Theatre Patrons; it is open Oct. 14 through Oct. 25 for the general public.

Tickets can be reserved at www.nwciowa.edu/tickets or by visiting the box office between 5 and 8 p.m. Monday through Friday or between 1 and 4 p.m. on Saturday. The box office can also be reached by phone, 712-707-7098, or e-mail, boxoffice@nwciowa.edu.