Gaslight Children's Theatre

Hansel and Gretel

Written and Directed by Mary Aiaka Kent

Generously Produced by:

K/H Financial
Park Avenue Thrift

Act 1, Scene 1: Hansel and Gretel's cottage

Act 1, Scene 2: Deep in the Forest

Act 2: Witches' Cottage

There will be a 10-minute intermission between Acts. Snacks and drinks are provided free of charge in the lobby. Enjoy!

Photography and videotaping during performances is STRICTLY PROHIBITED.

As a courtesy to our patrons and performers, please silence or turn off all mobile devices during the performance and refrain from the use of backlit screens.

Directors Note

Director's Note

It is difficult to believe it has been 15 years since I first saw my dream come true - introducing children to the magic of live theatre on the Gaslight stage. Those first few years were hard but so worthwhile. We have children who came to those early Children's Theatre productions who are now involved in the Gaslight Teens and appearing on stage. Full circle moment! Thank you to all those who continued to grow the Children's Theatre, and now that my family has moved back to Oklahoma, I am humbled to be allowed to direct this 15th anniversary show. Of course I had to repeat the show that started it all, Hansel and Gretel, but with a twist! This time I wanted to write and direct my own work! No show comes together without lots of help, so if I forget someone, the error is unintentional. Thank you to Whitney Hall and Sharon Henneke for volunteering your time and tremendous talents. You make the show sparkle and shine! To my cast and crew, hearing you bring life to my words on stage is surreal and overwhelming! I appreciate each of you for taking this journey with me. Thank you to KH Financial for your wonderful support, and for sharing Producers Night with the employees and job coaches of 4RKids and their families. What a wonderful evening for them and us! Thank you to my parents, Tom and Patje Lentz. Dad, for introducing me to live theatre and not freaking out when I wanted to go to college and major in theatre. For teaching me to work hard, always be the first one in the building, be honest, and never quit. Mom, for my love of writing and reading. Look! I wrote a play! Special thanks to my terrific sons, Adam and Sam, now a sophomore in college and a senior in high school. It was because of you at four and five years old that I dreamed of a Children's Theatre. You both inspire me to be a better person. To my daughter, Katy, I love being your Mama. And for the dance parties and snuggles we share when I get home after rehearsals. To Jason -what can I say except thank you for years of encouragement, support, advice, insight, and love. Thanks for being on my team. HPOMH And last, but certainly not least, to my amazing soldier, cowboy, husband, Chris. You thought when you retired from the Army, we would be coming back to Enid to enjoy the quiet life. Little did you know I wanted to jump back into theatre, or that you would be spending many nights at home being a "single parent" so I could pursue my dream. (I mean, it's not a deployment, but it is your turn.) I am eternally grateful for you, your love, support and your corny jokes! I love you so much. To the audience, I hope you laugh! I hope you love this show as you get a peek inside my writer's brain - it's a wacky place! Thanks for joining me there.

Mary Aiaka Kent

Cast

Carmen Ball

Mother Goose

Willam Beddoes

Hansel

Natalie Rapp

Gretel

Nathan Parry

Father

Janet Jones

Stepmother

AnitaJane Garnand

Goldie

Jassie Parry

LuLu

Stephanie Ezell

Craddock

Tricia Pruitt

Esmerelda

Ginny Shipley

Griselda

Ashley McConnell

Batrice

Grace Gannon

Owlive

Sam Coleman

Willy Jigglestick

Creative Team

Whitney Hall

Lights/Sound

Sharon Henneke

Special Music

Ashley McConnell

Backstage Crew

Grace Gannon

Backstage Crew

Maizee Bookout

Backstage Crew

Mary Aiaka Kent

Set Design

Tom Lentz

Set Design

Cast

Set Construction, Costumes, Backstage Crew

Chris Kent

Special Construction

Jay Pruitt

Special Construction

Mike Kent

Special Construction

Sam Coleman

Special Set Painting

Hannah Beddoes

Special Set Painting

Karl Youngers

Carpentry

David Henneke

Carpentry

Sharron Schaefer

Costumes

Gaslight Teens

Ushers

Maizee Bookout

Assistant Director

Samuel Coleman

Assistant Director

Meet the Company

Carmen Ball

Mother Goose

Mother Goose is happy to welcome you back to Children's Theatre at the Gaslight. Her best words of wisdom - LAUGH HARD, RUN FAST, and BE KIND. If that doesn't work - Don't Meddle in the affairs of Dragons for you are crunchy and good with ketchup.

Willam Beddoes

Hansel

I am 19 years old. This is my first Gaslight show. I am super excited and having a blast! I am looking forward to my future with Gaslight.

Natalie Rapp

Gretel

After a 5-year hiatus, I am extremely excited to make my Gaslight re-debut with Hansel and Gretel. By day I am the executive director of Main Street Enid and a part of all things downtown. Big thanks to our director for trusting me with the role of Gretel. I couldn't have asked for a better show to make a comeback!

Nathan Parry

Father

It's been more than a decade since I've been on the Gaslight stage. I have fittingly gone from once playing Hansel to now playing his father. It's a joy to be back sharing the experience with my wife, Jassie, and so many friends. old and new.

Janet Jones

Stepmother

It's been 10 years since I've had the pleasure of performing in a theatre production for Children's Theatre, and it's been a long overdue experience. Thanks to Mary and this cast for making it so much fun. There's nothing better than playing the villain.

AnitaJane Garnand

Goldie

I am so excited to play Goldie in Hansel and Gretel! I am a math teacher at Waller Middle School. This is my 2nd production at Gaslight and I am grateful for our wonderful community theatre. Thank you to my husband and daughters for holding down the fort while Mom is living out her dream.

Jassie Parry

LuLu

I'm happy to be back on the Gaslight stage after 13 years, since moving back to Enid last summer! It is wonderful to not only share the stage with my husband, Nathan, but also with this amazing cast. Lastly, I want to thank my mom for making LuLu's super glittery tutu!

Stephanie Ezell

Craddock

is a 37 year old woman who hasn't done theatre since her 13 year old was a toddler. She is very excited to be a grouchy old troll.

Tricia Pruitt

Esmerelda

I am happy to be back on stage in a Children's Theatre production. It is a treat to introduce children to live theatre. Esmerelda is a fun character, and who doesn't love candy??!! I hope everyone has fun watching, cheering, and laughing with us! Enjoy!

Ginny Shipley

Griselda

I am having a ball revisiting Children's Theatre as Griselda, the mean witch. Thanks, Mary, for giving me this role! "Later."

Ashley McConnell

Batrice

is thrilled for her Children's Theatre debut! She has been a part of Gaslight for over 4 years and loved every experience. She was last seen in this year's Dinner Theatre production. She wants to thank Mary for letting her be part of this production. Yea Candy!!

Grace Gannon

Owlive

I'm a Mama, a hairdresser, and a first-time Gaslight participant. I'm so excited to play Owlive, the Owl! This show is such a hoot!

Sam Coleman

Willy Jigglestick

is no stranger to the Gaslight having worked behind the scenes on multiple shows as well as appearing onstage. Sam is a senior at Enid High and a third generation Gaslight actor following his mom and grandfather. He hopes you enjoy his performance as the "Bard in the cage."