Rehearsals for Little Theatre production underway

Fort Frances Little Theatre will be back on stage with its production of “Beauty and the Beast” on Nov. 2-4 at 7:30 p.m. at the Townshend Theatre here.
A matinee also is slated for Sunday, Nov. 5 at 2 p.m.
This version–written and directed by Wendy Judson of Emo–promises to be a magical and entertaining evening of music and comedy.
Judson, who had great success with her English pantomime of “Cinderella” last year, resumes her role as playwright and director for this year’s production.
Working with Judson is Jessie Laurien of International Falls, who composed three original songs for the play.
“When we finished [‘Cinderella’] last year, my grandchildren asked me if I was going to write another one,” said Judson. “ I asked them which one they would like me to write, and they said ‘Beauty and the Beast.’”
Judson, who is originally from England, admitted she had not read “Beauty or the Beast” before–or even watched the popular Disney animated version of the story.
“I didn’t want to watch the video because I didn’t want to be influenced by it,” Judson said. “My aunt back in England called and told me that she would send me the book.
“I read it and then sat down and began to write.”
In Judson’s version, the story begins with a group of people returning to their home in Fort Simpson after attending a fair.
Although the play will follow the general storyline of “Beauty and the Beast,” Judson has made some changes that will make it unique and entertaining for the audience.
“In the original story, there are wolves but I didn’t want to have wolves in the play,” she noted. “Instead, we have wood sprites who sprinkle people with moon dust.”
But people also can rest assured the familiar storybook characters of the spoon, vase, clock, and teapot have been kept.
“I didn’t want to include the candelabra in the play because I thought it would be too hard to costume,” Judson remarked.
Judson believes the play will appeal to people of all ages but more so to the younger crowd.
“The play last year was geared toward children but had some adult elements to it,” she said. “This year, the play is very child-oriented and will certainly appeal to children.”