Jack’s Tale Preview: A Theatrical Twist on the Classics
Photo provided by Dr. Christine Williams
The opening weekend of Lee University's theatre program’s newest play begins Thursday. “Jack’s Tale,” retells beloved classic stories featuring many surprises and twists for a comedic theatrical experience.
“It’s sort of an adaptation of Jack and the Beanstalk and this story follows my adventure that I go on and I meet a bunch of different people who tell me things about myself that I don't really know yet. I'm sort of growing up into the person that I’m meant to be. And I meet all these these different people on the journey that shape me into the person I end up becoming,” Andrew Easterling, senior music major and cast member, said of the Appalachian musical.
As this play features six students, the cast is able to use their talents to portray multiple characters, only adding to the excitement of the story and engagement of the audience.
“I am playing mostly the blue bearded giant, which is a giant that our main character Jack faces in one of his many journeys that he goes on in the show. It's just a very sweet, funny, and loving character,” said Madison Cutshall, junior theatre major and cast member.
“Jack’s Tale” will be the final show of the semester, leading senior cast members to reflect on their time with Lee theatre.
“Lee theatre means so much to me. I feel so blessed I have been given the opportunity to be a part of five shows with Lee theatre. Everyone is so professional and so kind consistently. It means so much to me to get to work with a team that has our best interest at heart always,” said Ashley Mills, senior music voice major and cast member.
As Lee University faculty and staff work to reflect Chrisitian values into each program and club on campus, theatre at Lee can be seen as an integration between faith and art.
“Jesus was a storyteller through his Parables and through the way he still teaches us today. I think honestly, and this is easy for me to say as the theater kid, but I think it’s ingrained in us to be storytellers and to be creative because we can't help it. If the being who made us is that personable and creative then it's just something that's genuinely stitched into us,” said Cutshall.
The cast of “Jack’s Tale” encourages everyone to come out and support Lee theatre for their final show taking audiences back to their childhood with a nostalgic storyline featuring the untold tales of the classics.
“I love that I get to study something I’m so passionate about with people who are also passionate about it and to be working with others that are just as passionate about Christ as I am. It really makes the process unique because you don’t get that everywhere, especially out in the world,” said Mills.
“Jack’s Tale” will take place in the Buzz Oates Theatre beginning March 24 at 7:30 p.m. Additional shows will be held March 25 at 3:00 p.m. and 7:30 PM, March 30 at 7:30 p.m., March 31 at 7:00 p.m., and April 1 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Lee University students are able to attend “Jack’s Tale” for free using the access code “Leestudents.” To purchase tickets to “Jack’s Tale,” click here.
