Description

The play is a beautifully crafted revelation of empowerment for youth. Hansel and Gretel learn to face terror, recognize the truth and solve their problems away from the comforting company of adults. Hansel and Gretel are playing hide and seek in their yard when they overhear their parents discussing leaving them in the woods to fend for themselves. The impoverished parents can see no hope for feeding their children and carry out their plan. The first time in the woods, the children find their way safely home thanks to the trail of white stones Hansel cleverly drops. Their father is overjoyed to see them but soon acquiesces to the mother’s insistence that they return to the woods immediately. This time, left for good, the children journey forward, following hope in the form of a white bird. Their hope leads them to a witch who has all the food she needs but wants to eat them as well. The children prevail against the witch thanks to Gretel’s quick thinking, courage and strength. The white bird returns, leading their father, but not to save themethey have already saved themselves. In the play’s final moment, Hansel and Gretel invite their father to join them on their journey. They are free. One set with set pieces. Medieval costumes. Approximate running time: 50 minutes.