The Gingerbread Kids in “Hansel and Gretel,” left to right, are Hazel Ydstie, Sebastian Heineman, Clementine Steegmans, Solomon Jeans, Adaline Carrera, Oliver Grano, Jacob Cohen and Johanna Heineman.
Sarah Cohen describes the Astoria Conservancy production of the Brothers Grimm story “Hansel and Gretel” as a “unique retelling.”
Her dance students will stage the production this weekend at the Charlene Larsen Center for the Performing Arts in Astoria.
“This is great for kids and families, or anyone who likes to laugh,” said Cohen, who has written, directed and choreographed the show.
Performances are 6 p.m. Oct. 25 and 26. Admission is $10, cash only, or $5 for those who attend wearing a Halloween costume. Proceeds benefit the Astoria Scholarship Fund.
Raven dancers rehearsing, left to right, are Zoja Fick, Bernadette Liberto, Hazel Ydstie, Ruby Owen and Lucy Catalano.
All the participants are aged six to 15, drawn from the dance and musical theater students at the Conservatory. Conrad Struve plays Hansel, Josie Giles portrays Gretel and Vanessa Gaspar-Lucas has a featured role as a witch.
Anne Bigda and Roarke Struve, play the mother Vultrogotha and father Karl, described as “the best parents ever,” who narrate the story while the cast tells it through dance.
Cohen noted the cooperativeness and creativity of her “quirky cast of characters.” “It’s such a great cast and all the students are so supportive of each other,” she said. “I love how they all work together, and it’s great to watch them bring the play to life.”
Lisa Nelson created the Conservatory to teach music in 2002, although its artistic vision has broadened into dance and other performance arts. The group is based on 11th Street in Astoria.
Cohen has blended students from different disciplines in building her cast, whose members have been rehearsing since August. The “sweet and salty” Gingerbread Kids are portrayed by musical theater students, Ravens by the modern dance class and Fairies of the Woods by ballet dancers.
“Some of the funniest roles to learn are the ‘witch’s minions.’ It seems everyone in the cast knows the choreography for those roles,” Cohen said.
“Creating a play or full-length ballet is always interesting, and it’s incredible seeing the cast just jump into different roles to fill in for someone or add their ideas to the character’s development.”