By Taylor Jensen/entertainment editor
A NW student in the new production of The Emperor’s New Clothes said it’s a lot harder than it looks to be a human fireplace.
“This is my second production,” Ryan Sanders said. “I’m in the ensemble. We get to turn ourselves into objects, and it’s fun because the audience gets to guess what we are.”
The Emperor’s New Clothes tells the story of a powerful, but vain emperor who orders two con artists posing as the finest weavers in his kingdom to produce a magical cloth invisible to those not smart enough to see it.
NW drama associate professor Joshua Blann said Theatre Northwest does a children’s show each year, and he chose this play because it was both theatrical and fun.
“For most kids who come to the show, it’s their first time seeing a live performance,” he said. “We wanted it to be something theatrical that introduces them to the theater. This is a timeless tale.”
Blann said the show is about those who value superficial things so much, it can eventually lead to their downfall.
“If there is a moral or theme we explore, it is what is the nature of power and if powerful people can be made to see their mistakes,” he said.
NW student Joshua Jones, a castle guard in the play, said all characters work together to add humor to each scene.
“This is a very big ensemble show,” he said. “There is not one moment when one person steals the show. We all work together to make it funny.”
NW student Kevin Reha, the oldest of four children, said he is a veteran when it comes to performing for a younger audience.
“I have always had to calm them down and contain the ruckus,” he said. “The energy of this show appealed to me.”
Reha said he and his character Roscoe, one of the con artists who weave the emperor’s cloak, have a lot in common.
“We are both kind of weaselly and have a good idea of who the people are around us and how to get what we want,” he said. “He has a really nice wit that I like to think I have.”
Reha said the audience, children and adults can appreciate the underlying message in The Emperor’s New Clothes.
“The play is all about being true to yourself and not hiding behind a mask and, instead, finding your identity,” he said.
The Emperor’s New Clothes will run Feb. 20-24. Performances are 10 a.m. Wednesday-Friday, 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are free for TCC faculty, students and staff, $3 for non-TCC students and senior citizens and $6 for general public. For tickets, call the box office at 817-515-7724.
