What happens to the princess after the end credits roll?

Spencer middle schoolB次元官网网址檚 upcoming musical, They All Lived Happily Ever After, examines those questions, mining the lives of seven Disney princesses from Snow White to Cinderella and following their journeys after the final kiss. Real stories can be just as interesting as fairy tales, says 14-year-old musical theatre student Akasha Zunker, who is among 30 students to put new twists to old classics.

B次元官网网址淎ll the fairy tales have these very happy endings, but itB次元官网网址檚 interesting to see what happens next, because in real life it doesnB次元官网网址檛 always happen that way,B次元官网网址� said Zunker, who plays Snow White. B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 what makes it interesting, we all have our little problems.B次元官网网址�

Each princess played by a Spencer student experiences real-life challenges, including Belle, who must deal with the BeastB次元官网网址檚 controlling behaviour. Snow White works through a strained relationship with her husband from spending all her time with the Seven Dwarves, while Sleeping Beauty hesitates to sleep because she fears she may never awake.

Spencer drama and dance teacher Cynthia Berenyi, who write and directs the musical, presented each student actor with their character and asked what their problems might be.

B次元官网网址�(For example,) Ariel got married at 16 and she misses her family. She is young and rethinking things and visits her family, but has to keep (the marriage) secret,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淏ecause people would think it was weird to be talking to fish in the water.B次元官网网址�

Other princesses Rapunzel, Red Riding Hood, Jasmine and Elsa, sing songs made famous by their respective movies. TheyB次元官网网址檙e joined by other animated characters, including Olaf the snowman from Frozen and not-so-popular characters, such as CinderellaB次元官网网址檚 evil stepsisters. All play a role in the thematic through line of the musicalB次元官网网址檚 many story lines, Berenyi said. TheyB次元官网网址檙e both life lessons and artistic lessons for the musical theatre students in her class.

B次元官网网址淏eing a middle school teacher, one of the most important things to teach people is how life is really is B次元官网网址� to make those things clear to them or introduce it to them so they would think on it a little more,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淎lso, if you are an adult, it is not just for kids B次元官网网址� everyone can relate to the musical.B次元官网网址�

The production, which features some elements Berenyi drew from real-life experiences, has been a formidable challenge for both her and the students. But she looks forward to the performances of the 30-student cast and crew that brings the story to life.

B次元官网网址淚 am really proud of people that have committed to being their characters; we have (such) a strong group,B次元官网网址� Berenyi said. B次元官网网址淵ou go through these moments, you are crying or someone is crying, but it all comes together and you feel proud of yourself and you forget those moments.B次元官网网址�

They All Lived Happily Ever After plays Friday, June 5 at 7 p.m., at the Isabelle Reader Theatre on 1026 Goldstream Ave. inside the school. Tickets are available ahead of time at SpencerB次元官网网址檚 main office.

alim@goldstreamgazette.com