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2010 Season

The Phantom Tollbooth
a children’s play by Susan Nanus
based on the book by Norton Juster
March 19-21 & 26-27, 2010
at the Greenville Area Community Center


 “Time is important, but it’s what you do with it that makes it so.” A valuable lesson that is taught in the Flat River Community Players' winter show, The Phantom Tollbooth. Milo (Evan Diehl), a very bored little boy, receives an unusual packages one day: a magic tollbooth. Since Milo has absolutely nothing better to do, he dusts off his toy car, pays the toll, drives through and is suddenly transported to the Kingdom of Wisdom, a fantastic world of imagination. On his way to Dictionopolis, one of the country’s two capitals, he meets Tock (Christian Sowers), the Watchdog, who joins him in his journey. In Dictionopolis, Milo meets King Azaz (Kim Joki) who presides over the city of letters and words. Azaz sends Milo, Tock and their guide, the Humbug (Jeremiah Souza), on a mission to rescue the princesses, Rhyme and Reason (Alisha Gatchel and Kylee Krogman), who were banished to the Castle in the Air by Azaz and his brother, the Mathemagician (Carl Gatchel) of Digitopolis.

The Phantom Tollbooth is a children’s adventure and modern fairytale written by Susan Nanus, based on the novel written by Norton Juster, and directed by Whitney Stek and Steven King. Anyone with an appreciation for language, irony or Alice In Wonderland-style adventure will adore the inhabitants of this fantasyland and all of their ridiculous behavior. The story is full of puns and many of the events are the consequences of taking English language idioms literally. Though Milo never actually finds himself in a classroom, this play is written in praise of education and stresses the importance of the various lessons Milo must learn through his journey if he and his companions are going to find their way past the demons who inhabit the Mountains of Ignorance.

The script called for many of the actors to portray a multitude of colorful characters. Dave Turmo, Kendra Moon, Ric Davenport, Skye Hayes, Maggie Stafford, Jessica Hayes, Michelle Nichoson, Gabrielle King, Loren Moss, Drew Gatchel Casey Ewell and Lindsey Bathurst play a total of thirty-one characters between them. With so much variety, costumes become a very large and very important aspect of the production. FRCP veteran Sandy Cote and newcomers Joan Moran, MaryLou Chickering, and Lois Paulson were eager to take on the task of creating demons, insects, kings and princesses. Add in a set designed to look like a large book, complete with pages that turn, and the audience can’t help but be drawn into this delightful fairytale.

The Phantom Tollbooth opens at 7:30 PM on Friday, March 19, at the Greenville Area Community Center. Additional performances are at 7:30 PM on March 20, 26, and 27 and at 2:00 PM on March 21. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for students 18 and under, and $10 for seniors 60 and over. Call 616-754-8207 to order tickets, or go in person to the GACC during regular business hours on Monday through Friday. VISA and Mastercard accepted.

By Whitney Stek

History
Our Past Productions

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FRCP Box Office: (616) 754-8207

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House Policies:

1) Experts say most babies cry to stay at home. We support these precious babies by enforcing a No-Babes-in-Arms policy for the theater.
2) The use of cameras or recording devices is strictly prohibited.
3) Food and drinks are not permitted in the auditorium.
4) Please disconnect electronic signals on watches and pagers before the start of the performance. Doctors or others with the need for emergency contact may leave their name, seat location, and pager with the House Manager.
5) The Greenville Community Center is a smoke-free facility. Smoking is prohibited anywhere inside the building and on any sidewalk leading to an entry of the building.

FRCP - P.O. Box 284 - Greenville, MI 48838