Theatre Guild to Perform “The Secret in the Wings”

Partial “The Secret in the Wings” cast.
Partial “The Secret in the Wings” cast.

Dark fairy tales, an ogre and a little girl left alone by her parents are all a recipe for the Theatre Guild’s spring alternate-space production of “The Secret in the Wings.” The show will premiere April 4-6, in the Fine Arts Center Arts Bridge 434. 

The cast of 10 explores the sinister side of lesser known children’s fairy tales, primarily those of the Brothers Grimm. In the play, a little girl named Heidi is left with a babysitter she believes to be an ogre. As he reads from a book, the characters in each of the tales materialize, with each tale breaking off just at its bleakest moment before giving way to the next one. 

Play director and anthropology and theater major Shannon Nelson-Maney says “I think [an audience] should come in with an open mind and to know that it’s not what it seems.” 

Nelson-Maney did warn that there are some suggestive themes in the play which may be inappropriate for a younger audience, but no inappropriate language.

The musical will have four performances on April 4, 5 and 6. There will be 7:30 p.m. performances all three days in addition to a 1 p.m. matinee on April 6. Tickets can be bought at the door or reserved in advance through the Theater Guild. There is limited seating due to the intimate size of the space. Student, faculty/staff and senior tickets are $8 and general admission is $12. The show is funded in part by the UMass Arts Council.

The Theater Guild, founded in 1906, is an entirely student-run theater experience for UMass and Five College students. 

For more details concerning the production see the Theater Guild website.