"Sleeping Ugly" Trib Review

I don't think this says a whole lot (other than a plot synopsis), but at least it's positive. In typical form, I don't even get mentioned; while everyone else in the cast did. Alas. Also, the fact that she said this was for 5-8 year olds will probably screw us. Hmmm. I've set up a link as well as pasted the actual words.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/chi-0605160217may16,1,1032359.story

THEATER REVIEW

She's one nightmare of a diva`Sleeping Ugly' turns classic fairy tale on its feminist earBy Nina MetzSpecial to the TribunePublished May 16, 2006

She's a spoiled little princess, with her bratty, over-the-top demands and foot-stomping tantrums and obsessive fixation on being, like, the prettiest girl in the room. The world revolves around this kid, even when it's not her birthday--but when it is, watch out!

Woe to the parent who thinks this applies only to the stars of MTV's "My Super Sweet 16." You can't shelter your bambinos forever, which Griffin Theatre Company illustrates quite deftly in its musical adaptation of the Jane Yolen picture book, "Sleeping Ugly," a feminist retelling of the "Sleeping Beauty" fairy tale that offers a primer for divas-in-training on what it means to be a holy teenage terror. (The show is best suited for children ages 5-8.)

"It's what's inside that counts," goes the story's moral. It's what's on stage that counts, too, and Griffin adaptors William Massolia (book), George Howe (music and lyrics) and director Richard Barletta have pulled off something pretty good, if not scintillating, in transferring the book to the stage.

A talking toad (Matthew Lon Walker) serves as narrator, guiding us through a world populated by yet "another royal, slightly out-of-kilter family" desperate to conceive a baby. Who knew the pains of infertility reached to lands far, far away?Our friend Toad steps in with a little magic and soon the queen (Jill Hames) is blessed with the nastiest enfant terrible this side of Colics-R-Us.

Princess Miserella, as she is called, grows up to become a snotty teenager (played to the hilt by Colleen McSherry) who sings to her cowering servants, "Misery loves company"--though company generally doesn't reciprocate, but isn't that always the way? Barletta's direction here goes the way of fun with props: a prop baby spits up; a prop bottle is smashed on a servant's head; a prop wedgie makes an appearance.

A turn of events lands Miserella in the forest, where she finds a fairy godmother (not hers) and her rival in all things metaphorical, a Julie Andrews wannabe named Plain Jane (Leah Morrow). A spell gone awry puts all three to sleep, and when a handsome prince (Steven Best) strolls by, he must decide which lady to awaken with his kiss.

He picks Jane, naturally. Even feminist fairy tales have far-fetched endings.

"Sleeping Ugly"

When: Through June 25
Where: Theatre Building Chicago, 1225 W. Belmont Ave.
Running time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Tickets: $24 at 773-327-5252