La Junta High School’s The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon Delivers Fast-Paced Comedy and Standout Student Performances

Description: A review of La Junta High School’s production of The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon highlights standout performances, audience participation, and a dynamic stage design. Performances run February 19–21 at the LJHS auditorium, with $10 tickets available at the door. Read the Full Review by the La Junta High School Journalism Class...

The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon:A Review

Written by the La Junta High School Journalism Class

In a truly side-splitting performance, a fabulous group of young actors from La Junta Junior/Senior High School will hit the stage this weekend in the hilarious show “The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon!” Members of the La Junta High School Journalism class (Denae Mondragon, Teigan Quintero, and Katelynn Tallberg) had the opportunity to experience this exciting production at the La Junta Junior/Senior High School Theatre on Tuesday, February 17.

You may think you know the story of Cinderella, Rapunzel, or Hansel and Gretel, but you’ve never seen them quite like this. Guided by the aptly-named Narrator One and Narrator Two, The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon is a madcap ride through all 209 (!) of the Brothers Grimm fairy tales. An ensemble cast zips from story to story, weaving each one together as we discover the origin stories of some of literature’s most well-known characters. You’ll meet some lesser-known figures too-like the Dirt Boy, Girl Without Hands, and the crab people. Just for good measure, there’s also a talking fish, an evil raven, and an audience member who’s a little too invested.

Several actors were real standouts during the show, especially Giovanni Encinias in the crazily chaotic “Cinderella” (as well as many other roles, both on and off the stage.) This young actor has grown tremendously during his years in the theatre program, and this part truly represents a capstone of comedic timing.

The narrating team of Maria Lavin and Ezra Collins kept the show moving with hilarious shenanigans. We really enjoyed watching them even when the spotlight wasn’t on them--they kept us laughing!

We can’t forget Maranatha Hoyt as the “diva” Cinderella and the evil enchantress who trapped Rapunzel in the tower--it was fun to see Hoyt embrace a comedic role. Zyana Gendreau-Croskey and Phoebie Sullivan played incredibly convincing “teenagers with attitudes” in a variety of roles.

We also noticed some great voice acting--Briley Mayhoffer and Thane Sullivan with their German accents were hilarious, and several characters had tremendous evil/crazy laughs.

“Brothers Grimm” was incredibly fast-paced, with actors alternating between multiple roles, always on the move. Every single actor turned on the energy to achieve and maintain the madcap craziness. We felt ourselves getting breathless just watching them!

Just a hint to audience members--be prepared to be in the middle of the show! You will play important roles as well. This audience participation made the show even more engaging and fun.

The directing team personalized the show with references that fit specific actors (The Prince going to “play D & D with Mr. Blomme”) and actors using each other’s real names. This addition, along with the choice to keep costumes onstage for all of the quick changes, added to the “meta” feel of watching a play be created before your eyes.

The gorgeous, eye-catching set, created by the LJHS Stagecraft class, really accentuated the stories as well as defining acting spaces using colorful book spines.

Don’t miss your chance to be immersed in the fairy-tale world of “The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon!” Come and enjoy these fabulous young actors in action February 19th and 20th @ 7:00 pm and February 21st @ 2:00 pm in the LJHS auditorium. Tickets are $10.00 and may be purchased at the door 30 minutes prior to each performance.

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