Theatre Workshop of Owensboro will be presenting a unique production of “Baba Yaga and the Black Sunflower” intertwined with “The Love for Three Oranges” on Nov. 15 and 16 at 7 p.m. and Nov. 17 at 2 p.m. at TWO’s Empress Theatre.
Director Jordan Blake Key said that he wanted to present the two stories in a unique way, and that since both are one-act plays, they worked well together.
“I had this crazy idea to do it interwoven,” Key said. “I talked to some other theatre people who said they had never seen it done [this way] before.”
Taking the original Russian folktale “Baba Yaga and the Black Geese,” and turning it into a musical with book and lyrics by Carol Korty and music by Scott Wheeler, the musical centers on a young girl determined to find where she belongs. The story is drawn from ancient tales about Baba Yaga, a mysterious trickster who has captured Maryuska, the young girl’s brother. Maryushka must complete certain and difficult tasks in order to bring her brother safely home.
“The Love for Three Oranges” is in the Italian tradition of commedia dell’arte, or the Italian comedy theatre of olden times. Written in 1761 and derived from a European folktale, it involves a prince who is cursed by a comical sorceress to search for three magical oranges that belong to a wicked fairy. Through his search, he faces several hilarious and zany adventures.
Key said the two one-act plays are presented with one scene from one and then a scene from the other.
“It’s almost like flipping between two channels,” Key said.
Combining the two plays, along with two larger casts of children, has presented challenges, Key said, but he added that the plays have amazing elements to them.
“It’s two big casts working to do one big show,” Key said.
This production is the first full-length production Key has directed, outside of those he directed as a student at Kentucky Wesleyan College. He has been involved in the local theatre community for a couple of years and hopes to continue in the near future.
The play is sponsored by Open Door Unitarian Universalist and Owensboro Health.
Tickets are $12 for students and $15 for adults and can be purchased by calling 270-683-5333 or visiting www.theatreworkshop.org/tickets.
Empress Theatre is located at 418 Frederica Street.
