Arden Children’s Theatre will showcase April and May performances of The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales, a hilarious twist on classic fairy tales where classic fairy tales don’t unfold quite as expected.
This hilariously chaotic comedy takes classic fairy tales and transforms them into a hilariously absurd funhouse! A princess swallows frog slime and the smelly cheese man tries to steal the show as the Ugly Duckling becomes the Really Ugly Duck. Featuring dynamic talent such as Matteo Scammell and Lee Minora, this production will have kids and adults laughing out loud. The Stinky Cheese Man is just right for kids ages five and up.
Expect immersive, interactive moments with storybook characters, laugh-out-loud twists you’ll never see coming, and plenty of playful surprises that pull audiences right into the action, according to the media spokesperson, with live music, singing, and nonstop energy, this is not your typical trip to the theatre.
The show flips familiar tales in the wildest, weirdest, and most joyous way, says director Steve Pacek.
Based on the beloved book by Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith, adapted by John Glore, the production brings the book’s fractured fairy tales to life for kids and adults alike. The production runs on Arden’s Arcadia Stage. Previews start April 8, opening night April 18 with performances through May 31. Single ticket prices vary by performance and start at $35. Tickets are available online by clicking here, by phone at 215.922.1122, or at the box office at Arden Theatre Company (40 N. 2nd Street, Philadelphia), according to Arden Theatre.
Credit: Arden Theatre
The cast and crew of The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales include:
- Taysha Marie Canales is a three-time Barrymore Award nominee and F. Otto Haas Emerging Philadelphia Theater Artist Recipient.
- Robi Hager is an actor, singer, and composer who previously performed on Broadway and also the creator/composer of the LGBTQ musical Basic Witches, which earned a 2018 Barrymore nomination for Best Original Score.
- Lee Minora is a Barrymore nominee, a Haas Finalist, and two-time recipient of The Jilline Ringle Performance Grant. She has appeared in more than 20 productions regionally.
- Matteo Scammell is well known to Arden mainstage and children’s theatre audiences for his roles in RENT (Roger), Holy Grail of Memphis (Newton Stover II), The BFG (The Big Friendly Giant) (Dad/The BFG), Assassins (Proprietor), and A Streetcar Named Desire (Stanley Kowalski).
- Leah Walton is a Barrymore Award-winning actress who has previously appeared in Arden’s productions. Walton’s portrayal of Helena in Indecent Proposal earned a Barrymore nomination for Best Leading Performer in a Play.
Click here for headshots and bios.
The production team includes Steve Pacek (Director), Kristin Finger (Assistant Director), Chris Haig (Scenic Designer), Alyssandra Docherty (Lighting Designer), Asaki Kuruma (Costume Designer), AJ Bloomfield (Sound Designer), and Robi Hager (Music Director).
Click here for special performances and events for The Stinky Cheeseman and Other Fairly Stupid Tales.
Student Matinees – Available Weekdays at 10:30 a.m. through May 31. – Want to bring a school group? Click here.
The Arden is fully accessible and proudly named a Keystone of Accessibility by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Accessibility resources include assistive listening devices, sensory processing tools, smart caption glasses, large-print programs, and more. Click here to learn more.