Classic children’s tale ‘Rumpelstiltskin’ comes to life

Published 5:00 pm Monday, September 17, 2012

ILWACO, Wash. – “Rumpelstiltskin,” a world premiere musical theater written and scored by Wilma and Robert Frankovich of Ocean Park, Wash., will be performed at the River City Playhouse, 127 S.E. Lake St. at 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays, Sept. 21 through 30.

A poor miller, played by Bob Walters, seeks a suitable husband for his daughter by bragging how she can spin straw into gold. The King (Robert Scherrer) learns of this boast, and immediately sends for the young woman. Unfortunately, Alice, played by Crystal Miller, has never learned to spin at all!

The king shuts Alice inside a room with a basket of straw and a spinning wheel, and tells her she must spin the straw into gold by morning. Just when she has lost all hope, an impish creature (Everett Pace) appears and spins the straw into gold for her in exchange for her necklace.

But instead of being satisfied, the king, who secretly hopes to spend more time with Alice, brings her two baskets of straw the second night and makes the same demand. The impish creature reappears and makes a deal for Alice’s ring.

On the third day, Alice is brought three baskets of straw. The king tells her he will marry her if she can fill this room with gold. This time, the little creature makes her promise to give him her firstborn child in exchange for his gold spinning.

Time passes, Alice has a child, and the strange little man returns to claim it. The Queen is understandably distraught. The creature relents and says if she can guess his name within three days she may keep the child. Raymond, the King’s most trusted Knight, played by John Adams, observes the imp dancing around a fire in the woods late at night and overhears him singing, “Rumpelstiltskin is my name,” just in the nick of time.

The Frankoviches plan to publish the show for national distribution shortly after the final curtain. Complete with chamber orchestra and mixed chorus, the community will host its premiere.

Tickets are $15, available at Okie’s Thriftway in Ocean Park, Olde Towne Trading Post in Ilwaco, online at www.peninsula-players.com or at the door 30 minutes before the performance, if available. For more information, contact producer Bill Nickila at 360-642-2999.