Rumpelstiltskin (Rowan Lavelle), Enchantress (Katherine Shuey), The Devil (Daniel Winhusen), and poor girl (Julia Tedesco) making a deal for her child during the first Act of The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon.
Review by Nyla Shahanavaz, Walnut Hills High School Critic Team
Once upon a time, Summit Country Day’s The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon invited audiences to journey into the land of their favorite fairy tales, where they experienced a multitude of happily-ever-afters.
The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon compresses over 200 fairy tales into a fast-paced, energetic, and zany show. Depicted by two narrators, the play brings iconic characters to life such as Rumpelstiltskin, Rapunzel, and Hansel and Gretel, but follows the original narrative inspired by the Brothers Grimm, providing unexpected twists. Written by Don Zolidis, the piece draws from the sometimes dark, often weird, and always enchanting world of the Grimms’ tales, transforming them into scenes that are as funny as they are frenetic. The minimalistic tech elements paired with the versatile talents of a small cast strengthen the core of the show, keeping the momentum high and the audience engaged.
The cast and crew of Summit Country Day’s The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon
effortlessly portrayed the fast-paced nature of the show without neglecting to emphasize the myriad of comedic elements included in the script. The cast’s chemistry elevated the performance, further contributing to an immersive experience.
The narrators (Gracie Sanders and Hana Conte) anchored the first act together, enchanting each tale with an additional touch of humor. The stark difference in the duo’s personalities never failed to entertain the audience with laughter. Narrator 1’s bleakness balanced well with Narrator 2’s expressive nature, presenting quick-witted exchanges and dynamic physicality which kept the storyline moving and bridged gaps between disjointed tales.
Daniel Winhusen played a chorus of roles throughout the production, skillfully differentiating each character with intentional voice inflection and movement. Winhusen’s performance as Hansel was notably memorable, amplifying the humor underlying in the scene and embracing the chaotic nature of the script. His character displayed important themes of childhood innocence and ignorance toward danger.
The lighting, headed by Rowan Cosgrove and Finn Kropp, added a layer of depth to the production. The design and execution demonstrated expertise, especially in aiding the visual elements of the play - distinguishing between stories and creating moods that ranged from eerie to humorous. Alongside the sound crew (Sophie Brouwer and Finn Kropp), they ensured smooth transitions, using sound effects and lighting to emphasize each punchline and scene shift.
Summit Country Day's The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon excellently celebrated the timeless Grimm fairy tales. The cast and crew alike reimagined the production, which remains a tribute to comedy alongside comfort in an incredible manner.
Hansel (Daniel Winhusen) listens to the audience’s advice while Gretel (Caitlyn Ferrer) still seems unsure.
Review by Clark Sayre, Walnut Hills High School Critic Team
East of the sun and west of the moon, The Summit Country Day transformed their theater into a land of awe, astonishment, and fantasy in their production of The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon, a raucous romp of all the age-old legends that managed to end happily ever after.
Authored by Don Zolidis, in 2007, The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon follows a group of narrators as they attempt to fit all 209 fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm into a singular night of theatre. From the beloved stories of Rapunzel and Little Red Riding Hood to the unfamiliar fables of Faithful Johannes and Plinkie Plie, The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon is full of parody and humor as it showcases the cherished tales that have been read for years.
Summit Country Day's production expertly immersed the audience in the folklore of the "spectaculathon." The combination of actors frequenting the aisles and the narrators enlisting the audience to create live sound effects created an intimate relationship between the company and the crowd, which allowed for not only a closer look at the performances but also a valuable view of the technical elements of the show.
Leading the company was the hilariously blunt Gracie Sanders as Narrator 1. She provided a comically stark antithesis to Hana Conte’s Narrator 2 as she delivered punchline after punchline with a consistently comical deadpan. Sanders put on a witty masterclass in dry humor as she skillfully led the ensemble through the fantastical stories of the Brothers Grimm.
Amidst the marvelous ensemble, Hana Conte and Daniel Winhusen, in their myriad of roles, rose to the top. Conte displayed tremendous versatility and unbridled comedic energy as she played every part in the story of Cinderella when the rest of the troupe pretended to be unable to go on. In a flurry of wigs, costumes, and accents, she cemented herself as a spectacular comedic actress who could take on any role. Similarly, Winhusen exhibited formidable range throughout his track. From the demanding Devil to the hysterical Hansel, Winhusen used spot-on dialects and perfectly silly physicality to keep the audience laughing until the final curtain. Both Conte and Winhusen took their roles in this ensemble piece and made them shine above the rest.
Outside of the cast, the technical elements magnificently drew the audience into the wondrous world of fairy tales. The lighting crew, led by Sophie Brouwer; sound crew, led by Rowan Cosgrove and Finn Kropp; and stage management team, led by Kaitlyn Rassi, worked in unison to ensure that their cues were executed in tandem. The spotlights and sound effects did a splendid job of enhancing the show's message and adding depth to the production.
With shimmering acting and whimsical tech, Summit Country Day's production of The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon highlights all 209 tales of the Brothers Grimm and lives happily ever after.
Chet (Runako Muvirimi), Narrator One (Gracie Sanders), and Narrator Two (Hana Conte), are listening to the crab people (Sophie Grey and Katherine Shuey) argue about what is for dinner that night.
Review by Caroline Lovelace, Walnut Hills High School Critic Team
Wish-granting fish, disgruntled dwarves, and... crab people? These vibrant caricatures and many more flooded The Kyte Theater at The Summit Country Day School with laughter and exuberance.
Based on the dark and gory Grimm’s Fairy Tales of the early 1800s, The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon could not be thematically farther from its source material. This light-hearted play by Don Zolidis follows four narrators attempting to fit all 209 classic fairy tales into a two-hour show. What ensues is nothing short of a fairy tale fever dream containing princes, princesses, and one particular magical horse named Plinkie Plie.
This charismatic ensemble cast was up to the daunting challenge of this fast-paced hallucination of a show. Incorporating physical comedy and improv dexterously, they alleviated the classic Grimm stories of their gloom and infused them with endless laughter and playfulness.
Anchoring this display of storybook wonder was Hana Conte's energetic and animated performance as Narrator 2 and the Cinderella Actor. Conte demonstrated consistent enthusiasm and excellent comedic timing; she was magnetic even when she wasn’t actively involved in a scene. Gracie Sanders as Narrator 1 balanced Conte's energy well with her cynical and composed attitude. She also skillfully interacted with the audience, involving them in the mythical mayhem.
Daniel Winhusen took the stage for the first time flanked by a profusion of bubbles – this effervescent entrance could not have been more appropriate for this comedic mastermind. Winhusen consistently left the audience in stitches, expertly developing many clownish characters throughout the show. From his accent work as Hansel to his ostentatious performance as the Devil, his range was dazzling. Additionally, Annabelle Schlotman delivered sarcasm with ease as the petulant princesses, Rapunzel and Cinderella.
Dramatically enhancing the fantastical atmosphere was Sophie Brouwer's dynamic lighting design. Lights covered the entire theatrical space, including the sides and back of the house, which made for a highly immersive experience as an audience member. Also adding to the show's playful spirit was the sound design of Rowan Cosgrove and Finn Kropp. From well-timed combat sound effects to comedic song choices, the sound navigated the difficult task of a cartoonish show like this one with ease.
Summit Country Day proved that a little fairy dust can go a long way as they successfully drew the audience into the whimsical world of The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon.
The Ravens (Julia Tedesco, Katie Shackleford, & Katherine Shuey) haunting Johannes (Gracie Sanders) while alone at night.
Excerpts From Other Top Reviews
"The lighting system, headed by Sophie Brouwer, was extremely impressive. Much of the setup was installed by the crew for this show, and it paid off massively as the dramatic, calculated lighting improved many aspects of the performance. Additionally, the sound and effects design of Rowan Cosgrove was very well done. Every effect was relevant and enhancing to its context, and the volume was never too loud or too soft."
-Davis Wickham, Mariemont High School Critic Team
"Joining Conte onstage was Annabelle Schlotman, most notably playing the parts of Rapunzel and Cinderella. She played each of her roles clearly and accurately, as it seems they were meant to be played. Her small body movements, like fidgeting with her hands, added to her roles, and it is clear she put a lot of effort into making her characters believable and realistic."
-Camdyn Drohan, Loveland High School Critic Team
"The Summit Country Day School did not confine their production of The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon to just the stage. With brilliant lighting design by Sophie Brouwer, the audience was transported into the show. The sides of the stage were lit with trees coordinated with the story being told. Spotlights were used to highlight the cast as they moved throughout the theater, with color being used to denote the setting and mood. The lighting crew worked alongside Rowan Cosgrove and Finn Kropp, the sound crew, to create a full experience. They matched lighting changes to sound effects such as blue lights and ocean ambiance sound or camera clicks and flashes, constructing a complete atmosphere. Additionally, the sound crew used music to underscore the atmosphere of each scene, whether it be dark and creepy woods or a fashion competition."
-Molly Rebber, Clark Montessori High School Critic Team
"Throughout the course of both acts, the actors had the audience doubled over and bruising ribs with laughter. Where some might be worried for fear of awkward silence during jokes, the play had a grand total of zero dull moments. Everything from the costumes to the banter between Narrators had the audience in stitches. Not to mention the wonderful use of music and sound effects. One might not expect to hear Taylor Swift or Nelly Furtado in a play meant to portray medieval fairy tales, but through masterful usage of satire and comedy, the show effortlessly blended modern pop culture with the timelessness of the Grimm Brothers’ stories."
-Isabela Paranhos Guterres, Ryle High School Critic Team
"Daniel Winhusen also portrayed many comical characters throughout the show (Devil, King, Wolf, Hansel), but his performance as Hansel was particularly memorable due to his precise German accent and impeccable comedic timing. Meanwhile, Caitlyn Ferrer (Dirt Merchant, Gretel, and Narrator 4) leaned into the playfulness of certain characters, like Gretel, while also embodying a calm, collected Narrator 4 in the second act, proving her versatility as an actress."
-Ali Lewis, Mercy McAuley High School Critic Team
"This notoriously difficult production would not have been possible without the unwavering dedication of the tech crews, particularly the stage manager, Kaitlyn Rassi. She expertly ensured the success of each scene by managing and calling every cue for her counterparts in the lights and sound crews."
-Anabelle Price, Ryle High School Critic Team
"Summit Country Day's production was an engaging and royally funny performance. The production tightly packed each element into a simply fun 'spectaculathon' that allowed the audience to truly kick off their shoes (or golden slippers) and enjoy."
-Andrew Canter, Walnut Hills High School Critic Team
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