HARRODSBURG — The next offering at Ragged Edge Community Theatre is based on a classic 1950s Disney movie. Directed by Tagan Citty Cox, “Disney’s Sleeping Beauty” will resonate with those who know the film.
Cox took time to answer questions about the upcoming production.
A-M: What is “Disney’s Sleeping Beauty” about?
TC: “Disney’s Sleeping Beauty” the musical is very much based on the Disney movie from the 1950s. Those who are familiar with the movie will recognize the music as well as the story line. However, since this has been adapted into a stage musical, there will be some differences, the biggest being that while the princess and prince are major characters, the fairies get the lead roles this time. You will see a lot more from them than in the movie.
A-M: Who are the main characters of “Sleeping Beauty,” and the actors playing them?
TC: The main characters are the three good fairies, Flora (Hannah Beth Turner), Fauna (Talia Horn), Merryweather (Elizabeth Meredith), the bad fairy Maleficent (Lydia Graham), Aurora (Nikol Pluess), and the Prince (Bailey Joyce).
A-M: As a director, what do you like about “Sleeping Beauty”?
TC: I enjoy directing musicals more than anything else. This probably comes from the fact that I have a musical theater degree. But I just think there is something special about musicals. You’re combining music, theater and dance, so there is a lot more demand on the actors, but in the end, the finished product is also grander than a play.
A-M: What have been the challenges of directing this show?
TC: One major challenge has been the dragon special effect. Maleficent is required to turn from a witch into a dragon in the middle of a song. It would not have come together without Ellen and Flor Morlote. Ellen is the costumer for the show, and she and her husband created the dragon, and I think the audience will be very pleased. Another challenge with musicals is the choreography. Hannah Beth Turner, who is also playing Flora, is a great young choreographer and she worked very hard to create the wonderful dances that will be seen in the show. It’s a challenge to get the entire cast to learn the choreography, especially when you are dealing with difference age groups. Through extra hard work, it has all come together and that is another element I think the audience will enjoy.
A-M: Why was this show chosen for production at Ragged Edge?
TC: We picked this show because everyone loves Disney shows. They are good fun for the whole family and the Disney princesses are such an icon in our culture. We knew from the success of last year’s “Beauty and the Beast” that our community really enjoyed these types of shows and we wanted to appeal to them again.
A-M: What’s up next for RECT?
TC: After we wrap up “Sleeping Beauty,” we will start work on our next Main Stage show, “Dearly Beloved.” It is a very funny comedy about a small-town family. It is slapstick all the way and the audience will be laughing from beginning to end, so we hope people will be looking forward to attending that show as well.
Cox took time to answer questions about the upcoming production.
A-M: What is “Disney’s Sleeping Beauty” about?
TC: “Disney’s Sleeping Beauty” the musical is very much based on the Disney movie from the 1950s. Those who are familiar with the movie will recognize the music as well as the story line. However, since this has been adapted into a stage musical, there will be some differences, the biggest being that while the princess and prince are major characters, the fairies get the lead roles this time. You will see a lot more from them than in the movie.
A-M: Who are the main characters of “Sleeping Beauty,” and the actors playing them?
TC: The main characters are the three good fairies, Flora (Hannah Beth Turner), Fauna (Talia Horn), Merryweather (Elizabeth Meredith), the bad fairy Maleficent (Lydia Graham), Aurora (Nikol Pluess), and the Prince (Bailey Joyce).
A-M: As a director, what do you like about “Sleeping Beauty”?
TC: I enjoy directing musicals more than anything else. This probably comes from the fact that I have a musical theater degree. But I just think there is something special about musicals. You’re combining music, theater and dance, so there is a lot more demand on the actors, but in the end, the finished product is also grander than a play.
A-M: What have been the challenges of directing this show?
TC: One major challenge has been the dragon special effect. Maleficent is required to turn from a witch into a dragon in the middle of a song. It would not have come together without Ellen and Flor Morlote. Ellen is the costumer for the show, and she and her husband created the dragon, and I think the audience will be very pleased. Another challenge with musicals is the choreography. Hannah Beth Turner, who is also playing Flora, is a great young choreographer and she worked very hard to create the wonderful dances that will be seen in the show. It’s a challenge to get the entire cast to learn the choreography, especially when you are dealing with difference age groups. Through extra hard work, it has all come together and that is another element I think the audience will enjoy.
A-M: Why was this show chosen for production at Ragged Edge?
TC: We picked this show because everyone loves Disney shows. They are good fun for the whole family and the Disney princesses are such an icon in our culture. We knew from the success of last year’s “Beauty and the Beast” that our community really enjoyed these types of shows and we wanted to appeal to them again.
A-M: What’s up next for RECT?
TC: After we wrap up “Sleeping Beauty,” we will start work on our next Main Stage show, “Dearly Beloved.” It is a very funny comedy about a small-town family. It is slapstick all the way and the audience will be laughing from beginning to end, so we hope people will be looking forward to attending that show as well.
