A holiday treat for the whole family – the Adams State University Theatre production, Snow Queen, opens December 5. Tickets go on sale at 8 a.m. Friday, November 20 at the ASU Theatre Box Office.
The Snow Queen play, directed by Jenna Neilsen, is an adaptation of the tale by Hans Christian Andersen. In the story, a little girl, Gerda, sets out on an epic quest to save her best friend, Kai, from the evil Snow Queen. Other people and talking animals, including a crow and reindeer, assist in her journey. The Snow Queen takes Kai after pieces of a cursed mirror penetrate his eye and heart, allowing him to only see and feel the bad and ugly.
"Gerda puts herself and everything in harm’s way for a friend," Neilsen said. The Snow Queen is a magical being without a heart and lives in an ice palace in the far north. Her ice attendants serve her. The play contains "lots of action," including fight scenes and dancing.
Narrated by an old troll, the Snow Queen production features creative costumes and set design, yet relies on acting to tell the tale. "I like the original story," Neilsen said. "It is a good holiday tale." With a cast of 22 actors playing 49 collective characters, Snow Queen will run under two hours and includes audience interaction.
The production features many familiar faces including Katie Mae Miller as Gerta; and Alex Adams as the talking crow; as well as San Luis Valley natives, Jordan Hull as the Snow Queen; and Nick Harlan as the talking reindeer. Mason Harvey plays Kai and senior Kat Kinney designed the elaborate costumes. Aubrey Lucero choreographed the dancing and Adams State’s own John Hauser, a professional working actor in Denver, returned to campus to choreograph the fight scenes.
Public performances of Snow Queen run Dec. 5, 11, and 12 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 5 and 13 at 2 p.m. The La Puente Home, Share the Magic, benefit performance is Dec. 4 and the ASU Alumni special performance is Dec. 6.
Tickets are $10 for general public, $8 for seniors and students, $6 for children 12 and under, and free to Associated Students and Faculty with current ASC identification card. The box office number is 719-587-8499. On November 20, first priority will be given to people standing in line for tickets with telephone orders filled afterwards.
