MAT's 'Hansel and Gretel' pant opens Friday

A classic children's story with a British twist is opening this weekend as the holiday production for Montana Actor's Theatre.

MAT's production of "Hansel and Gretel: A Christmas panto," by Archie Wilson, opens Friday night in Cowan Hall's Little Theatre on the Montana State University-Northern campus.

A modern panto, or pantomime, considered a British creation, takes a well-known story, often a fable or children's story, and puts it on the stage with dancing, singing, jokes and other twists on the original story. The staging of pantos is a Christmas tradition in England.

MAT's production of the "Hansel and Gretel" pant takes some old hands at acting and mixes them with some newcomers.

Playing the title roles of Hansel and Gretel are Caroline Tuss and Amanda Viall, respectively, with Rory Everingham playing Fairy Mary, Andi Daniel playing WitchCraft, Martin Holt playing Dame Handle and Liam Edwards and Shay Hauer playing Broom Handle and Pan Handle, respectively.

Aylan Pratt plays Prince while Evan Davison plays Romeo, Chad Zuelke playing WoodCutter and Gerrad Bohl playing Belladonna.

Kate Hemmer, Marlee Thivierge, Ethan Davison and Pia Morrell round out the cast, each playing multiple roles in the production.

The doors and backstage lounge open at 7:30 p.m. for the 8 p.m. nighttime productions, with the doors opening at 1:30 p.m. and the shows starting at 2 p.m. for the matinees.

The nighttime productions are Friday and Saturday this week and Dec. 16-17 and 22-24. The matinees are Sunday, Dec. 11, and Sunday, Dec. 18.

The show is $15 for adults, $10 for students, senior citizens and for people with a military ID and free to students with Montana State University-Northern ID.