Fairies and leprechauns at North Canaan school


NORTH CANAAN — It’s spring. Nature will soon be bursting forth anew, and the stage at North Canaan Elementary School will burst with song, dance, comedy and drama.

The NCES Drama Club is presenting "Blather, Blarney and Balderdash" on March 29 and 30.

Now in its ninth year, the club is enjoying the benefits of having "experienced" actors. The club is open to middle school students, but early on, a tradition was started to put the school’s youngest students on the stage as well.

From scruffy little urchins in "Oliver" to squeaking mice in "Cinderella," children in first and second grade have been invited to literally flock to the stage.

"I’ve had some of these kids for many years," Director Leigh Ann Merrill said. "We end up with strong leads by the time they are old enough to join the club."

Having plenty of talent on hand was one reason for choosing an ensemble play that calls for an "all-star" cast.

"When we chose a play, we think about the potential cast members," Merrill explained. "Whoever signs up to be in Drama Club is automatically in the play. We have to make sure we have enough roles, and that they are suitable for the kids who will be auditioning for them. We have several boys who could take on the male lead and lots of experienced actors."

Ryan Long will play the lead role of Fin O’Grady. He’s in love with the fair Pegeen, played by Hillary Burkhart.

But Emma Olownia, as her mother, demands he tell her a story to win his true love’s hand.

Fin laments that he doesn’t know any stories, and even if he did know one he wouldn’t know how to tell it. Slapstick humor ensues when he accidentally catches three wild and crazy leprechauns. Instead of taking their gold, he asks for a story.

The rest is an enactment of three Irish folktales: "The Hunchback of Knockgrafton"; "The Griffin’s Feather"; and "The Bird, the Mouse and the Cricket."

And of course, there is a happy ending.

The 29 cast members are joined by about 25 fairies and elves (from the first and second grades).

Merrill co-directs with fellow teacher Linda Peppe. Her husband and fellow teacher, Geoffrey Merrill, handles the technical work and scenery, leading a crew of students.

"One of the things that always sets our productions apart is the costumes," Merrill said. "Most of the costumes for this show were already in our wardrobe, but there are a couple of very involved costumes that are very impressive. They are being done by the same parents who have been with us all along: Linda Creedon, June Kelly, Debbie Carroll and Rebecca Roth."

The play selection this year was also about giving the audience something a little different.

"We’ve done all the fairytales and big productions. This really showcases our very talented actors," Merrill said. "It’s fast-paced, with no intermission, so you really get into the blending of the folktales."

Curtain on both nights is at 7 p.m. Tickets are $5.

Prior to Thursday’s performance, the eighth grade will host a fundraiser Blarney Dinner from 5 to 6:45 p.m., featuring Irish food such as corned beef and cabbage.

For tickets and more information call the school at 860-824-5149.

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