Merry olde pantomime

By Mary Alice Garrett

This story originally appeared January 6, 2005 in the News Journal of Wilmington, Delaware.

Imagine an American musical comedy with a touch of vaudeville that's suitable for the entire family. That’s what you’ll find in the production of "Cinderella and the Glass Slipper" Jan. 14 and 15 at Kennett High School in Kennett Square, Pa.

The classic German folk tale has been reinvented in the British pantomime style by the Kennett Amateur Theatrical Society. The first thing to know about British pantomime is that there's absolutely no miming. In true British fashion there are silly songs, jokes and lots of audience participation.

Pantomime is as much a part of Christmas in the United Kingdom as"Nutcracker is in theUnited States, notes Gary Smith, a KATS founder and director of all its plays. The British-born Smith heads a cast of 60 actors from Chester County Pa., and Delaware.

Auditions were held in August, and rehearsals began in the fall.

"We all have day jobs. We fit ourselves around people’s schedules," said Smith, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine. Many of the actors have previous theatrical experience, but not all. And many are family members.

Susan and Ben Pizzini returned to amateur acting after a 20-year hiatus. They met while doing dinner theater at the Stone Barn Inn, where they later wed. Susan plays the part of the Queen and Ben plays the Butler. Their son, Kevin, is a member of the stage crew.

"It's been a lot of fun to get back to acting," said Susan Pizzini.

For Kathleen O'Shea, who plays Cinderella, it's her "first acting part ever." She worked the lights for last year's KATS' pantomime of "Robin Hood and His Merry Men."

A research specialist at the New Bolton Center, O'Shea works with Smith.

"It's exciting," she said. "Even people with no experience can be in a play."

Jack Michener and Kirk Fetters perform the dame roles of ugly stepsisters. A middle-aged dame is always a part of British pantomime and always played by a man. Michener and Fetters wear a number of outlandish costumes, wigs, feather boas and gaudy jewelry. Their footwear remains work boots and sneakers, though, Michener added.

Sandra Borror-Jury has the cross-dressing role of Prince Charming. Last year, she played Robin Hood.

"The theater bug hit me a long time ago," said the accomplished ballet dancer, who acted in high school and college productions. Husband and wife William and Deborah Crampton have acted with KATS for two years. William plays a duke, chauffeur and a frog while Deborah plays a scarecrow. William put his Chinese martial arts skills to good use in the Robin Hood production.

Heather and Adam Hopkins of Newark have the roles of baroness and baron. Heather's mother, Diane Teig, is "costume goddess," while her father, Gerry, sells tickets. Diane has been with KATS since it started four years ago. She likes her behind-the-scenes role.

"I will say, I enjoy mostly doing the dame costumes: They can be out there."

Pike Creek resident Nancy Goyda auditioned after attending "Robin Hood" with granddaughter Caroline Holliday, 7. "Caroline got pulled up onstage," said Goyda, a member of the chorus. Caroline plays the part of a mouse along with Gabrielle Samule, 6, and Emily Coons, 10.

"This is my first play," said Emily. "It's really fun."

A silly song is part of every pantomime production. This year's song is "All I Want Is a Proper Cup of Coffee Made in a Proper Coffee Pot" and sung in a proper British accent. It's a time when the audience is invited to come onstage and sing along. The show promises gorgeous costumes and art-deco scenery. A large pumpkin is transformed into a car - not a coach - right in front of the audience. Smith describes the production a "a free-form version of Cinderella," adding that his pantomimes are always "very free-form."

Actors are free to improvise with jokes about local politics, even running onstage to announce the score of a Philadelphia Eages game.

"It's an extremely entertaining thing to go and see. It's a modern living thing," Smith said. "Pantomime has a long history - at least 400 years - but the great thing about it is you update it so it never becomes sterile."

Music director Phil Calabrese transposed all the tunes which Smith wrote for the production. He also heads a five-piece band. During the day, he is a special education instructor at Elwyn Inc.'s Davidson School in Media, Pa.

Gary Smith studied acting at the Peoples Light and Theater Company in Malvern after doing community theater work 10 years ago. He learned to write plays by ordering a how-to book from England. This season, he wrote a pantomime version of "Sleeping Beauty" for Peoples Light.

Smiths' wife, Caroline, was formerly KATS' stage manager. A psychologist, she now handles theater administration. The Smiths say local merchants have been extremely supportive of the nonprofit acting company. The American Legion Hall lends its building for rehearsals. Area banks and The Brandywiners also have contributed funds.

In addition to an annual pantomime, KATS also produces one-act plays by local authors in July and improvisational "murder mysteries" in downtown Kennett Square in August. To audition or for more information, go to www.callkats.org.