BY DIANE A. RHODES
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Hemet High School Children’s Theater is presenting “The Little Prince,” based on the French story by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. The timeless piece revolves around a young boy who arrives on Earth from another planet and meets with an aviator, who also serves as the story’s narrator.
“As the most translated French novella of all time, the story is a mainstay of literature throughout classrooms in elementary, middle and high schools,” said Hemet High theater teacher Bret Cherland, who is also directing the play. “It is a sentimental show, focusing on what matters most: spending the time we have in this life with what makes us happy.”
Junior Mervae McCormack plays the title role, which she describes as a very complex character.
“It’s a story about how our hearts grow when we love someone, be it romantically or just as a friend – they’ll always be in our hearts. Once we ‘tame’ someone, they are our responsibility forever,” she explained.
Cherland said Mervae has been part of the school’s theater department since her freshman year, but this is the first vehicle where she is a lead.
“Children are so fun to act for,” said Mervae, 16. “They’re so responsive and you can really interact with them, even from the stage.”
Mervae said the message she hopes audience members will leave with is that “no matter how young or old, how innocent or jaded, we all have the capacity to love and we all deserve love.”
Tyler Sands, who is also a junior, plays the Aviator, one of his numerous roles this year. This will be his fifth children’s theater production.
“Children react to the story in such an exciting way and they are the best at giving you an honest opinion of your performance,” he said.
The theater group sent out 180 Golden Tickets to school districts and public librarians to be distributed to students. The program, designed to encourage reading, has become a tradition for children’s theater performances. Each ticket is valid for free admission to the lucky student and an accompanying adult.
Additionally, “The Little Prince” will be presented at no cost to nearly 1,000 students attending with their classes Wednesday and Thursday mornings. Public performances are at 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday.
“Many elementary school students read ‘The Little Prince’ around fourth grade, and the subject matter of imagination, growing, love and loss all aim at the early teen age group,” Cherland said. “However, our ballet dances, live musicians, vibrant colors and universal story should please just about any age.”
He explained that besides the numerous interesting set pieces, including a 1930s-era biplane, the show utilizes projected drawings onstage and an ensemble that helps visualize different locations throughout the galaxy as the prince travels from his home planet to Earth.
“Under Mr. Cherland and Mr. (Daniel) West, we have been able to create amazing things that awaken the imagination,” said Tyler, 17. “It’s almost as if we set a higher bar with each new show.”
CONTACT THE WRITER:
[email protected]
COURTESY OF BRET CHERLAND
Mervae McCormack plays the title role in this week’s Hemet High School Children's Theater production of “The Little Prince.” “It’s a story about how our hearts grow when we love someone,” she says.
IF YOU GO
What:“The Little Prince” by Hemet High School Children’s Theater When:7 p.m. Thursday-Friday Where:Hemet High School, 41701 E. Stetson Ave., Hemet Cost:$5 for adults, $4 for children 12 or under or students with an ASB card, free for under 4 Information:951-765-5150, ext. 1340, or [email protected]
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Hemet High School Children’s Theater is presenting “The Little Prince,” based on the French story by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. The timeless piece revolves around a young boy who arrives on Earth from another planet and meets with an aviator, who also serves as the story’s narrator.
“As the most translated French novella of all time, the story is a mainstay of literature throughout classrooms in elementary, middle and high schools,” said Hemet High theater teacher Bret Cherland, who is also directing the play. “It is a sentimental show, focusing on what matters most: spending the time we have in this life with what makes us happy.”
Junior Mervae McCormack plays the title role, which she describes as a very complex character.
“It’s a story about how our hearts grow when we love someone, be it romantically or just as a friend – they’ll always be in our hearts. Once we ‘tame’ someone, they are our responsibility forever,” she explained.
Cherland said Mervae has been part of the school’s theater department since her freshman year, but this is the first vehicle where she is a lead.
“Children are so fun to act for,” said Mervae, 16. “They’re so responsive and you can really interact with them, even from the stage.”
Mervae said the message she hopes audience members will leave with is that “no matter how young or old, how innocent or jaded, we all have the capacity to love and we all deserve love.”
Tyler Sands, who is also a junior, plays the Aviator, one of his numerous roles this year. This will be his fifth children’s theater production.
“Children react to the story in such an exciting way and they are the best at giving you an honest opinion of your performance,” he said.
The theater group sent out 180 Golden Tickets to school districts and public librarians to be distributed to students. The program, designed to encourage reading, has become a tradition for children’s theater performances. Each ticket is valid for free admission to the lucky student and an accompanying adult.
Additionally, “The Little Prince” will be presented at no cost to nearly 1,000 students attending with their classes Wednesday and Thursday mornings. Public performances are at 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday.
“Many elementary school students read ‘The Little Prince’ around fourth grade, and the subject matter of imagination, growing, love and loss all aim at the early teen age group,” Cherland said. “However, our ballet dances, live musicians, vibrant colors and universal story should please just about any age.”
He explained that besides the numerous interesting set pieces, including a 1930s-era biplane, the show utilizes projected drawings onstage and an ensemble that helps visualize different locations throughout the galaxy as the prince travels from his home planet to Earth.
“Under Mr. Cherland and Mr. (Daniel) West, we have been able to create amazing things that awaken the imagination,” said Tyler, 17. “It’s almost as if we set a higher bar with each new show.”
CONTACT THE WRITER:
[email protected]
COURTESY OF BRET CHERLAND
Mervae McCormack plays the title role in this week’s Hemet High School Children's Theater production of “The Little Prince.” “It’s a story about how our hearts grow when we love someone,” she says.
IF YOU GO
What:“The Little Prince” by Hemet High School Children’s Theater When:7 p.m. Thursday-Friday Where:Hemet High School, 41701 E. Stetson Ave., Hemet Cost:$5 for adults, $4 for children 12 or under or students with an ASB card, free for under 4 Information:951-765-5150, ext. 1340, or [email protected]