Cal Poly Theatre & Dance Department to Present 'The Little Prince' Nov. 12-21
The Cal Poly Theatre & Dance Department will present its fall production, “The Little Prince,” at 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Nov. 12-14 and 19-21, in the Spanos Theatre on campus.
The play is based upon Antonie de Saint-Exupéry’s popular French novella. First published in 1943, “The Little Prince” is the most-read and most-translated book in the French language.
The production begins when the Aviator crash lands in the desert. While struggling to repair his airplane and survive in the harsh climate, he is visited by the Little Prince. The strange, innocent, mysterious boy regales the Aviator with tales of his travels — sailing among the stars, visiting fantastical planets, and meeting unique characters.
The Little Prince’s stories awaken the lost child in the Aviator, reconnecting him to his dreams and helping him survive the ordeal. “Their relationship is tenderhearted, inspiring and heartbreaking. The landscape in which they find themselves is imbued with magic and light,” said Al Schnupp, director, production designer and Cal Poly Theatre & Dance professor.
The cast includes 12 actors. Most of the characters are performed by live actors, though the production also features five handcrafted puppets articulated by four puppeteers. The setting is a vast 3-D backdrop that features planets interconnected with gears, wheels, belts and mechanical devices. A stylized vintage airplane is also featured prominently in the design. Illustrations, drawn by the Aviator, will be projected onto a large screen with synchronized drawings by artist Beatriz Pereira, a Cal Poly theatre arts major.
Senior theatre arts major Kimberlee Vandenburg designed the costumes with assistance from faculty member Thomas John Bernard. Clint Bryson, the department’s technical director, serves as lighting designer.
Tickets are $20 for the public and $12 students, seniors, children, faculty and staff. Tickets are sold at the Performing Arts Center Ticket Office between noon and 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. To order by phone, call 805-SLO-4TIX (805-756-4849).
The performance is sponsored by Cal Poly’s Theatre & Dance Department, the College of Liberal Arts, and the Instructionally Related Activities program. The production is presented with permission from Dramatic Publishing.