Von Braun Center Reschedules Some Events

HUNTSVILLE, AL—

In light of the recent power outages, the Von Braun Center is providing the following update regarding events scheduled for May 3, 2011 through May 10, 2011.

April 28, 2011 Fantasy Playhouse Cinderella: rescheduled to May 5 at 7 pm
April 29, 2011 Fantasy Playhouse Cinderella: rescheduled to May 6 at 7 pm

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Fairy Godmother and Stepsisters shine in Fantasy Playhouse’s Cinderella

Cinderella Cast 

I was lucky enough to see Cinderella Thursday night.  This show was a hoot and great for families from ages 3 and up!

This is the last show of the Fantasy Playhouse’s 50th season, but they’ve announced their upcoming season and later in the article I'll tell you how you can let the magic continue this summer.

I spoke with the original writers and directors of the show, Peter-John (PJ) Sligting and Jennifer Barnes Johnson. Seven years ago they started to write Anastasia for Fantasy Playhouse, but it just didn't seem like the right fit.  So they decided to take the classic and beloved tale of Cinderella and introduce the show from the Fairy Godmother’s view.  Now the show has been revived, and these writers were happy to see their work brought to life by this new cast and crew in 2011. 

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Mother-Daughter princess tea party at Fantasy Playhouse

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama - Don’t you remember sitting among your dolls playing the hostess of a delightful and whimsical tea party?

Well, it’s possible to relive that nostalgic moment with Fantasy Playhouse Children’s Theater’s first Mother-Daughter Princess Tea Party this weekend.

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Preview of Fantasy Playhouse's Tom Sawyer

Bailey Cove hosts a sneak preview of Fantasy Playhouse Children's Theater's production of Tom Sawyer. Please join us for a scene from Jackson's Island featuring Tom, Huck, and Joe. There will be an opportunity for questions at the end of the presentation.
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Fantasy Playhouse brings 'Tom Sawyer' to life on stage

HUNTSVILLE, AL. - Fantasy Playhouse Children's Theater continues its production of "Tom Sawyer" this weekend at the Von Braun Center Playhouse read more

Let the magic begin with 'A Christmas Carol' presented by Fantasy Playhouse

Children sing Christmas carols for Scrooge

If you're feeling more "Bah! Humbug!" than "Merry Christmas," you should go to see a 'Christmas Carol' at the Von Braun Center.

This is year is number 21 for the Fantasy Playhouse Children's Theater to put on this original show.

Everything from the script to the music was created 21 years ago by a talented trio.

I was lucky enough to see a sneak preview during dress rehearsal Thursday night. This script was written specifically for Fantasy Playhouse by Deborah Fleischman and Vivienne Atkins. Fleischman said when they first looked at putting on the play, they couldn't find a script that fit..... read more

Fantasy Playhouse's 'A Christmas Carol' literally a family affair

Pictured from left to right is of the Seigh family,
 including children Nikki Morgan and Hudson Seigh,
mother Michelle Seigh, grandmother Renee Seigh
and grandfather John Seigh. To the right is the Coe
family, including Blake Coe, Holly and their two sons,
Joshua and Jacob.

HUNTSVILLE, AL. - It’s inevitable that with the merry holiday approaching, some local performance group will bring to stage the musical rendition of the seasonal, classic Charles Dickens novel “A Christmas Carol.”

For 21 years, the Fantasy Playhouse Children’s Theater has been the troupe to do just that. But, this year’s performance will be slightly different and more of a family affair - literally.

Several real-life families will be portraying characters from the beloved and timeless tale of how old grouchy Ebenezer Scrooge got back into the groove of Christmas with the help of three influential ghosts. read more

Get a dose of magic this weekend at Fantasy Playhouse

HUNTSVILLE, AL. - Get a dose of magic this weekend and check out "Doctor Osborn's Newfangled Medicine Show" at the Fantasy Playhouse Children's Theater, 3312 Long Ave.

The Tennessee Valley's No. 1 magical mad scientist is back with a new look, weird magic and a load of family fun. The show calls for active audience participation, and kids can wear their Halloween costumes.

Performances are tonight at 7 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 7 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $5. Call 256-539-6829 or e-mail fph@knology.net.

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Fantasy Playhouse Children's Theatre opens 50th season with 'Sleeping Beauty'

Cast members of Fantasy Playhouse Children's Theater
production of "Sleeping Beauty."

HUNTSVILLE, AL. - Fantasy Playhouse Children's Theater is opening its 50th season with the classic fairy tale "Sleeping Beauty."

Directed by Jessica Alexander, "Sleeping Beauty" follows three comical fairies who try to outwit and defeat an evil villain who plans to sabotage the entire magical kingdom by targeting Princess Callista and Prince Eric. read more

Fantasy Playhouse Children's Theater hosts fundraiser tonight

HUNTSVILLE, AL. - Fantasy Playhouse Children's Theater is hosting a fun and unique fundraiser tonight at its facility on 3312 Long Ave. to benefit the troupe's ambassador touring group called Fantasy Players.

The group will perform "Death By Chocolate," a murder-mystery improvisation that's directed by Lyndy Werpy where the audience not only helps in solving the mystery, but gets to indulge in delicious sweets and desserts. read more

50 years of Fantasy Playhouse; theater volunteers focus on fun magic for children

The 1980 cast of "Hansel and Gretel."

HUNTSVILLE, AL. - Fifty years ago the Huntsville Little Theater, now Theatre Huntsville, was planning to cancel its only children-oriented performance presented once a year.

After learning of this, a group of thespians got together to discuss a long-term goal - to bring live theater to the children of Huntsville and to educate them in the dramatic arts.

Since its first performance - John Van Druten's "Bell, Book and Candle" in 1961 - Fantasy Playhouse Children's Theater has performed 170 shows, all of which have been possible due to an all-volunteer production team. read more

Let the Magic Begin: Fantasy Playhouse celebrates its 50th anniversary

Beast from "Beauty and the Beast" signs an 

autograph for a young fan.

Photo by Tiffani Hill-Patterson

Since 1960, Fantasy Playhouse, an all-volunteer organization, has delighted children with its fresh takes on classic tales like Beauty and the Beast and Alice in Wonderland. I remember being so excited to visit the playhouse when I was a sixth-grader at Hazlewood Elementary. Huntsville was the “big city” and attending a play was such a grown-up thing to do. We saw Aladdin, and I was fascinated by the stars of the show who didn’t seem much older than we were...read more