LePetit fractures a few fairy tales

Humpty Dumpty and his caretaker, Nurse Applebee, at odds over his treatment plan? Little Miss Muffet’s spider copping an attitude?

The fairy tales might be a bit … well, fractured, but the fun’s in great shape in LePetit Theatre de Terrebonne’s latest offering.

“Fractured Fairy Tales,” penned by Ken Bradbury, features nine semi-familiar vignettes told from the characters’ perspective.

Take “Climbers” for instance. After years of skipping up the hill only to fall down again, Jack and Jill (Reggie and Laura Pontiff) are in a rut. He’s facing a mid-life crisis and she feels her needs aren’t being met. The relationship is stale and the monotony of their tale, repeatedly tumbling down the hill, is taking its toll.

In “Wolf at the Door,” it’s the big bad pigs (Jeanne Scott, Pat Crochet and Donna Benda) that get the wolf (Gretchen Autin), or do they? Sgt. Bane (Greg Whitney) is on the case.

And “Snow Sort of White” will forever change how you view princes (John Sonnier and Bud Barnes), dwarfs (Paul Labat, Doug Holloway, Steve Crispino, Steve Duplantis, Nelson Benoit, Joel Waldron and Reggie Pontiff), evil stepsisters (Crochet, Karen Schilling and Lydia Courtney-Voight) and, most especially, Snow (Kami Ellender).

Much like the originals, these tales find a happy, unconventional resolution.

“I did this show about 12 years ago with kids,” director Sue Peace said. “I had been telling [fellow LePetit board members] about it. When this opportunity arose, everyone was excited to be a part of it.”

“Fractured Fairy Tales” stars the theatre’s 25 board of directors. “It’s the first time we’ve all been on the stage at the same time in a production,” Peace noted.

The result is side-splitting, cast members agree. “They all feed off of each other,” the director said. “It’s been so much fun to direct and see.”

The “Fractured” production has a limited run, Aug. 5-7, and is the first of many LePetit fundraisers to come, according to theatre board president Schilling. Proceeds are going toward the renovation or upgrade of the theatre. LePetit has enjoyed an affordable rent relationship with the parish since the 1950s for the Main Street site. And while the organization and public demand has grown, sadly, the facility has declined.

Co-ed restrooms, limited access for special needs and small crannies for post-production events are among LePetit’s shortcomings.

“LePetit is at a critical point in our growth,” Schilling explained. With more than 1,100 season-ticket holders, plus the public, shows often include as many as 11 or 12 performances to accommodate the demand.

“We often sell out and have ‘stand-by’ lists or end up adding another show.”

And while that kind of demand sounds like a good problem to have, it tends to take its toll on the cast and crew, all of whom volunteer their time for weeks of rehearsals and shows.

“To provide adequate accommodations for our patrons, we have to take the next step,” Schilling said. The Main Street site requires upgrades to its restrooms, special needs accommodations and expanded lobby for post-performance gatherings.

“We could stay where we are and limit our membership, but that is not what the board has in mind,” she said. “We need the support of the community to realize this goal.”

Fractured Fairy Tales

Where: LePetit Theatre de Terrebonne

When: Friday, Aug. 5 and Saturday, Aug. 6 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 7 at 2 p.m.

Cost: $25

For More Info: (985) 876-4278 or houmalittletheatre.com