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TCT on Tour's 'Rumpelstiltskin' spins a show of pure gold

The Children's Theater of Cincinnati is well-known for their phenomenal performances that deliver on the entertainment trifecta of clever, fun and educational. Whether it is their Mainstage or Showtime Series, TCT always manages to create…

The Children’s Theater of Cincinnati is well-known for their phenomenal performances that deliver on the entertainment trifecta of clever, fun and educational. Whether it is their Mainstage or Showtime Series, TCT always manages to create an experience that sprinkles a little magic on an important life lesson and does so in the perfect duration to engage an audience of all ages. Retelling the classic tale of “Rumpelstiltskin” with an adorably irreverent approach reminiscent of “The Princess Bride” (one of our family’s favorite movies), TCT will have you falling for every character, from the miller’s daughter to the handsome but simple-minded prince to an untimely rooster to ole’ Rumpy himself. And while it may be “inconceivable!” that one could spin straw into gold, it is clear that this is one show that is spun of pure gold.

Directed by Deondra Kamau Means, this talented, four-person ensemble leverages a simple, yet effective set design, colorful costumes and witty dialogue to make magic for the audience. With my tween daughter in tow, I was a bit concerned that this one might be too young for her, given the average age and attention span of the packed audience. But we were both utterly delighted to find ourselves enthralled and laughing throughout. The actors so clearly love what they do and appreciate performing together, as their energy and enthusiasm come across throughout every moment. The miller’s daughter especially captured our hearts, with her Disney-princess blue eyes and sweet voice coupled with her hilarious facial expressions and delivery. Rumpelstiltskin, effectively brought to life in the vein of a leprechaun-esque villain, was the perfect balance of cute and calculated. From start to finish, this quick run of a show hit all the right notes.

Opening with one of the most clever and catchy songs to date (that is still in our heads!), the full cast kicks up their heels and belts out “A rumple, a rumple in the story…but were stilt going to tell it…and its bound to get under your skin.” Well done, my TCT friends. Well done. Reminding us in the middle that “It’s a fairytale and anything can happen,” they ensure that the audience makes the important distinction between reality versus make-believe. Closing with their trademark embrace of education, the actors ensure the important theme, telling the truth, is stated loud and clear before launching into a helpful Q&A with the littles in the audience. Most of the questions centered on what was real versus magic, reinforcing that TCT clearly hits the mark with their wonderful shows.

Christi Geary is the proud mom of two girls (8 and 11), best friend and wife of her husband Brian, and an Associate Director at the Procter & Gamble Company focused on shopper innovation insights and analytics. She enjoys and participates in art of every kind, feeds an insatiable curiosity for learning every day through books and connecting with others, pursues different forms of exercise when she can find the time to balance out her foodie predilection (highly recommend DanceFix and Pilates Reformer), and delights in spending time with family and friends (especially anything Disney-related). Writing reviews is an absolute privilege and one she cherishes every day, with the hope that sharing her perspective will inspire others to embrace the arts.