Carson Performing Arts presents fairy tale about a man with a funny name

Carson Performing Arts at Carson High School presents this year's Fairytale Theatre production of "Rumplestiltskin" at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Carson City Community Center. This will be the only presentation for general audiences.

There will be special showings for schools, preschools and day-care centers today and Friday at 9 a.m., with a special price.

Matthew Hogan is a Carson High senior in his first directorial outing.

"I've always enjoyed fairy tales; it's fun to be in charge for once," he said. "It's stressful, but fun and lots of hard work. We started out with 32 actors, but wound up with 20.

"Thomas Fisk, who plays Rumplestiltskin, is one of the funniest men I know, a great guy to have around. Me, I'm excited and nervous."

Eighteen-year-old senior Jessica Badger, who plays Laura, the lead role of the miller's daughter, is a show biz veteran, having appeared in the Western Nevada Community College's "Kiss Me Kate" and "Oklahoma."

"Laura is young and interesting - and winds up losing her head," she said.

Fisk has appeared in "Guys and Dolls" and "Stage Door" with the high school group. He said about his character, "He's a little mean and power hungry, but he is also very funny, like a little kid."

"Rumplestiltskin" concerns a beautiful miller's daughter whose father dies. She has to earn money to pay for the taxes on the mill. The king asks her to spin straw into gold, but she cannot do it.

Then a little man comes to the room where she is weeping and offers to spin the straw into gold in exchange for her necklace.

Then the king asks the girl to spin more straw into gold. The little man asks for her ring and again spins the gold. The third time, the little man asks for her first child, and she agrees. The king is delighted with all the gold, marries the daughter, and she has her first child, which the little man claims.

Rumplestiltskin says that if the miller's daughter can find his real name, she shall be free of her agreement. Her messenger finally finds out the name, and Rumplestiltskin is defeated. And, of course, everyone except Rumplestiltskin lives happily ever after.

Tickets for evening show is $3 for children/SBC, $5 for general admission at the door. Ticket prices for the daytime shows is $1 for pre-booked groups. Call 887-0438 to book a school group.

Contact Sam Bauman at sbauman@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1236.