Aging is Not a Fairy Tale

Edward A Kliszus
November 11, 2023
Edward A Kliszus, New York Theater, Off Broadway, Theater for the New City, Theater Review

Rating 95%

As the audience entered the theater for Aging is Not a Fairy Tale, Tchaikovsky’s “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy.” The music was an artistic tribute and sonic preparation for the story unfolding.

Madcap Fairy Tale Characters

Lights dimmed, and the Narrator (Joel Trinidad) appeared. Prim and ceremonial, it wasn’t long before he shifted into a droll dialogue of confusion. As a coterie of madcap fairy tale characters emerged to surround him noisily, he restored order with a referee’s whistle. He sometimes barked like a dog, borrowed Elton John’s glasses, and was likely responsible for the grand entrances cued by herald trumpets.

Joel Trinidad as Narrator. Photo by Jonathan Slaff

Dealing With Old Age

While the initial setting was in a timeless imaginary world of fairy tales, contemporary references abounded. It was soon revealed that our fictional fairy tale characters were dealing with old age.

Mirror Mirror

Contexts morphed as we met characters from Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, and Rumpelstiltskin from the Brothers Grimm. We met the Three Little Pigs and listened to the Queen’s famed recitation, “Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of them all?”

Lisa Podulka as Mirror. Photo by Jonathan Slaff

Perfect Timing

Virtual eras shifted as the hilarious script and gifted cast portrayed an adroit admixture of anachronistic images, physical comedy, and clever quips with perfect timing and delivery. Audience members chuckled to phrases that popped out like “Come on man!”, “Clairol hair color,” Jerry Seinfeld’s “Yada yada yada,” “You go girl!” and “I’m so wired.”

Lorena Guillen Castillo, Maria Koper, and Allison Grace Furlong as the Three Little Pigs. Joel Trinidad as Narrator. Photo by Jonathan Slaff

Oui Oui Oui!

The lovely Three Little Pigs (Maria Koper, Lorena Guillen Castillo, and Allison Grace Furlong) were dressed in clingy pink dresses, purred like kittens, and spoke like Valley Girls. They wondered, “Why did the little piggy go wee wee wee all the way home.” But since they were more continental, they preferred “Oui oui oui!” Outstanding comedic performances!

Spank

The Queen (Monica Mist), who sleeps on a “beauty rest” mattress, decried her advancing age and described her many cosmetic procedures. Sleeping Beauty (Hannah Monsour) walked around in her pajamas and explained her problems with sleeping meds and recharging on caffeine. Our bespoke, sometimes hip-hop Prince (Coleman Shu-Tung) bragged about his “spank” undergarment. Rumpelstiltskin (Dan Kelley) complained about arthritis and found it challenging to continue to spin gold out of straw.

Coleman Shu-Teng as Prince, Hannah Monsour as Sleeping Beauty. Photo by Jonathan Slaff

Outrageous

The Mirror (Lisa Podulka) is generally the Queen’s loyal servant. Tonight, she delivered unexpected and lightly sardonic quips while advising on investing and planning for the future. The Queen reacted indignantly with “Outrageous!” as the Mirror scolded her, “You need to budget, invest, and diversify…fend for yourself!”

Dan Kelley as Rumpelstiltskin. Photo by Jonathan Slaff

Go Fund Me

The Queen needed help. She’s out of money, and the old ways no longer pay the bills or protect her citizens. Hmm. Perhaps a “Go fund me” drive? Or can Rumpelstiltskin do one more gold job? The Queen has a crafty, enchanting, and astonishing solution, but I won’t spoil it.

Well Crafted and Sophisticated

Aging is Not a Fairy Tale was billed as a comedy exploring “What happens to fairy tale characters as they get older?” The play is a delightful, charming, humorous admixture of favorite fairy tales and characters. Repartee was well crafted and sophisticated, and the cast masterfully executed the many subtle and less subtle jabs with splendid, natural timing and assurance.

Monica Mist as The Queen from “Snow White.” Photo by Jonathan Slaff

Glamorous Narcissistic Queen

With a gleam in her eye and sly smile, Monica Mist was electrifying as the glamorous, narcissistic Queen. Mist embodied the role with ease and grace, bringing depth and nuance while commanding attention through each movement and spoken word. From Mist’s first entrance, the audience was struck by her presence as she seamlessly shifted from moments of calculated calm to bursts of energy, relishing her part as the conceited monarch.

Captivating and Memorable

Tonight’s success was borne of the contributions of a talented cast and superb artistic support. The costumes, direction, lighting, blocking, sets, and sound were outstanding. Each contributor gave their best in every role they played. The team effort of the cast of actors, the stage crew, and everyone behind the scenes made Aging is Not a Fairy Tale a genuinely entertaining, captivating, and memorable production.

It’s a limited run. Don’t wait to get seats!