We have all

heard the story about the princess kissing a frog and

having the frog magically turn into a prince.

Allegedly,

that is how a lot of relationships start out. Starting

this Thursday night, Offshoot Productions will present

two participatory musicals for children: "The Frog

Prince" and "The Further Adventures of Maide

Marian."

Offshoot

did two children's participatory plays last summer,

"Treasure Island" and "Cinderella,"

both of which enjoyed great success. Both stories

involved children in the audience and allowed them to be

not only part of the play, but also part of the story.

Some children were called up to go on the rescue mission

in "Treasure Island," while others danced at

the ball in "Cinderella." According to

Offshoot's artistic director, Susan Steadman, it is

experiences like this that light the fire for theater and

performing in children.

"We

really hope that kids leave with the idea that theater is

fun and quite exciting," said Steadman. "I also

hope that they leave with a sense of achievement, having

helped the characters resolve their situations and after

performing in front of an audience."

"The

Tale of The Frog Prince" is similar to the beloved

fairy tale, with the exception that there is now a magic

elf that only the frog and the princess can see. Audience

members will be selected to come on stage and play games

with the frog and the elf.

"The

Tale of the Frog Prince," directed by Susan M.

Steadman, Ph.D., features Brian Turner as the title

character, with Bettina Seay as Rosalie, the princess who

befriends him, and Brenda Tymecki as the Queen. These

three actors previously appeared together in last

winter's professional show, "Scotland Road."

The cast also includes apprentices Becky Wilson

(Penelope), Kurt Ross (Bertram), Jeremy Steadman (King)

and Steven Wilson portrays Spree, a magic elf. Mary Alice

Olsan is rehearsal assistant.

The story

of "The Further Adventures of Maide Marian"

deals with Robin Hood being stuck in a tree and

desperately frightened by something. Maide Marian

assembles a gang from the audience to track down the

creature that has given Robin Hood such a fright.

Directed by

Ethan Williams (who is assisted by apprentice Kerrick

Butler II), "Maide Marian" features Turner as

Robin Hood, Bettina as Maide Marian, and Susan Dolan as

Alan O'Dale. Apprentice actors are Joey Waldrop (Dithero)

and J. Anthony Strickland (Friar Tuck). Paige Steadman

and Katy Jenkins alternate as Mad Molly and stage

manager.

Directors

for the plays are R. Ethan Williams ("The Further

Adventures of Maide Marian") and Offshoot producing

artistic director Susan M. Steadman, Ph.D. ("The

Tale of the Frog Prince"). Williams, who has worked

as an actor, stage manager and assistant director for

Offshoot, is a familiar figure at the Georgia Renaissance

Festival.

The

colorful and imaginative costuming is provided by Roseann

Miracle, a Peachtree City resident. Fayetteville's A.

Bryant Betsill Jr. is responsible for set and lighting

design. Accompanist Martha Clarke, a newcomer to Georgia,

has provided piano arrangements.

"We

decided to do musicals this year because we have a cast

that has beautiful voices," explained Steadman.

"It will also be very enjoyable for the audience to

hear the music in an intimate setting instead of a larger

theater space."

Tickets for

the preview, which includes both plays, are $6; tickets

for all other performances are $5. Regular performances

of "Maide Marian" are 8 p.m. July 21-22; 1:30

p.m. Thursday, July 27; and 3 p.m. July 29-30. Frog

Prince performances are 3 p.m. July 22-23; 10:30 a.m.

July 27; and 8 p.m. July 28-29.

Although

tickets will be sold at the door, they are also available

in advance at the Fayette Book Shop, 692 N. Glynn St.,

Fayetteville, 770-461-5907; the Omega Book Center, 100 N.

Peachtree Parkway, Peachtree City, 770-487-3977; the

Peachtree City Library, 201 Willowbend Road,

770-631-2520; and the Fayette County Library, 1821

Heritage Parkway, 770-461-8842.

Large

groups are encouraged to attend the Thursday, July 27

matinees, when "The Tale of the Frog Prince"

will be presented at 10:30 a.m. and "The Further

Adventures of Maide Marian" will be shown at 1:30

p.m.

For group

rates and additional information, call the Offshoot

office at 770-631-2362 or e-mail to [email protected].

Offshoot

also will offer a workshop entitled "Working with

the Script." The workshop is especially designed for

children 9 to 12 and will be Monday, July 24, from 6 to 9

p.m. at the Peachtree City Library. Using short scenes

enacted by the participants, this workshop will introduce

youngsters to play and character analysis. Registration

fee is $20.

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