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Ponca Playhouse’s next production opens on Friday, January 24th and runs through February 2, with Friday and Saturday nights at 7:30pm and Sundays at 2pm, so you will want to decide which date you want to reserve your tickets! The Little Prince, a delightful tale of whimsy and imagination, shows the world through the eyes of child, is sure to bring a sense of nostalgia to the audience.
Taken from the book by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry and adapted for stage by Rick Cummins and John Scoullar, this show is now coming to the Playhouse stage under the direction of Maya Arana, who explains the show’s message of wanderlust in this way: “Our rendition of this timeless masterpiece is destined to resonate with both young hearts and seasoned souls. We as adults are told to ‘study arithmetic, or geography, or something important’ and we have been thinking too much like the businessman and losing touch with the wild imagination that once danced in our minds.”
One of the wonderful opportunities for many people over the years that the Playhouse has offered productions is the opportunity to work with other family members volunteering in the theatre, and this production is one more spotlight of exactly that. Arana says, “One of the greatest joys of this journey has been collaborating with the extraordinary father-daughter duo, Jared and Stella McGuire. From the very first audition, I felt an electric connection, knowing they were meant to shine together on stage.”
Jared and Stella were also together in The Tempest, but this show has both cast in large and crucial acting roles in the production. Working together as a family, and meeting others who become like extended family has always been one of the highlights of involvement with this community theatre. Many families have found the same to be true of the Playhouse.
The Cervantes family is one Ponca City family who have been active over numerous years, and they have participated in productions individually and as a family. Daughter Alana White says, “Some of my favorite memories are of all the relationships/mentors I had through all the plays we participated in while I was growing up.” Parents Jose and Marlys agree that many of their dearest friends were met while working together on shows at the Playhouse. White continues, “The theater also helped me find a talent which led me to be confident as a child and youth, a difficult time when you are trying to find yourself.”
Likewise, Meghann Borum, an Arkansas City native whose family is active with the Playhouse, shares, “The most rewarding work I’ve done at the Playhouse has been when I could share the work with my family. My brother Stuart was in the very first show I directed there (Moonlight and Magnolias in 2013) and I’ve often costumed or co-designed with my mom or sister, and even had the privilege of directing my daughter Moriah in her very first Shakespeare show, The Taming of the Shrew.” Borum shares her skills onstage, backstage and on the board of directors of the Playhouse, so both her time and skills have been valuable over the past several years, as have that of many of her family members. She adds, “So much of what we do in theatre is transitory and ephemeral…it’s there for a moment and then it’s gone, and it only lives in the memory of the people who were there, who experienced it either as an audience member or as an artist creating the work. To share that experience with your family is a huge blessing.” The Playhouse has had the privilege of having Meghann and her sister Emily work together on numerous projects over the last several years, and area audiences have certainly benefited from the family’s many talents. The two are collaborating on costumes for the current show.
This show will allow the audience to open their minds to this imagination in much the same way they will watch as the characters do so. You don’t want to miss out on seeing this production. As Arana says of her directorial debut that includes puppets and foam and breathing life into a classic, “This enchanting story invites all—young and old—to embark on a journey of rediscovery, igniting the flame of wonder, imagination, and the pure joy of being alive.”






Producer for the show is Tamara Campbell, and Jacob Giger is stage manager. You can reserve your tickets via the Playhouse’s new ticket system at www.poncaplayhouse.ludus.com where you will be able to even choose your seats. If you have any questions, you can leave a message at the Playhouse at 580-765-5360 or email at poncaplayhouse@gmail.com.
Buy your tickets now! Of this production, director Arana says, “In the journey of bringing this production to life, my incredible cast and crew and I set out on a mission to nurture that inner child within us—rekindling the vibrant lessons of life that seem to fade away in the hustle of adulthood.” This is our chance to join them in letting go for a couple of hours and reliving their nostalgia or our own as well. Let’s go to the theatre with The Little Prince.
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