The Tragical Life of Cheeseboy creates magic under a tent
"There is a sense of otherworldliness about this enchanting piece of children's entertainment that's evident from the moment you step into the theatre with its tent-like canopy."—Daily Telegraph, SydneyThe Wexner Center is pleased to present another theater production for families this spring: The Tragical Life of Cheeseboy, performed five times May 13–15. Especially for ages 7 and up, the two-man show features magic lantern shadow puppetry and ingenious "treasure boxes" to tell the tale of a boy whose home planet has been reduced to a bubbling fondue.
The audience sits on rugs, cushions, and low benches underneath a magical traveling theater tent, where a storyteller shares an enchanting, funny, and poignant tale. Questions arise: Where are Cheeseboyís parents? How did he become marooned on earth? Cheeseboy's journey leads him toward a new life filled with independence and new possibilities.
Shelly Casto, the Wexner Centerís director of education, notes, "With its intimate setting, magic lantern puppetry, and funny and bittersweet tale, Cheeseboy transports audiences into another world."
The 50-minute show is performed by Slingsby Theatre Company, based in Adelaide, South Australia.
Crafts will be offered in Mershon lobby after the 2 pm performance on Saturday and the 1 pm performance on Sunday, including puppet-making (stick and sock puppets) and puppet theater. Kids can also illustrate and write their own hand-bound storybook to complete the tale of Cheeseboy (which has an ambiguous ending), make their own mini buttons, sign the giant guest book, and more. The Wexner Center Store, accessible through the Mershon lobby escalator, will be open before and after all performances as well.
Show information
DATES AND TIMES: The Tragical Life of Cheeseboy will be performed Friday, May 13 at 7 pm; Saturday, May 14 at 2 pm and 7 pm; and Sunday, May 15 at 1 pm and 3:30 pm in the Wexner Center's Black Box on Mershon Stage, 1871 N. High St. Seating capacity: 125.
TICKETS: $16 for the general public, $12 for members, students, and senior citizens, and $6 for children under 12 and groups of 10 or more. For tickets, call (614) 292-3535 or visit the ticket office at the Wexner Center, or visit wexarts.org or ticketmaster.com (1-800-745-3000).
RUN TIME: approximately 50 minutes.
PARKING: Available in Ohio Union garage or Arps garage. More information on visiting: wexarts.org/info/visit.
QUESTIONS: The public can email the Wexner Centerís education department at edweb@wexarts.org for specific questions about this production.
TICKETS: $16 for the general public, $12 for members, students, and senior citizens, and $6 for children under 12 and groups of 10 or more. For tickets, call (614) 292-3535 or visit the ticket office at the Wexner Center, or visit wexarts.org or ticketmaster.com (1-800-745-3000).
RUN TIME: approximately 50 minutes.
PARKING: Available in Ohio Union garage or Arps garage. More information on visiting: wexarts.org/info/visit.
QUESTIONS: The public can email the Wexner Centerís education department at edweb@wexarts.org for specific questions about this production.
Member Ticket Offer and Discount on Membership
Wexner Center members at the Patron level and above can receive a free child’s ticket (with each adult ticket purchase) to this performance. New members can also save 10% on a new Patron level membership when you purchase it as the same time as at least one adult ticket to the show. Memberships and tickets can be purchased by telephone (614 292-3535) or in person at the ticket office/information desk on the entrance level of Wexner Center to receive this special offer.
Media contacts
Karen Simonian
Director of Media and Public Relations
(614) 292-9923
ksimonian@wexarts.org
Tim Fulton
Media Coordinator
(614) 688-3261
tfulton@wexarts.org
Director of Media and Public Relations
(614) 292-9923
ksimonian@wexarts.org
Tim Fulton
Media Coordinator
(614) 688-3261
tfulton@wexarts.org
EVENT AND SEASON SUPPORT
Major support for the Wexner Center’s 2010–11 education programming is generously provided by Battelle.
Promotional support for The Tragical Life of Cheeseboy is provided by The Columbus Dispatch and Time Warner Cable.
Support for programs for families and youth is provided by Cardinal Health, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream, and U.S. Bancorp Foundation.
General support for the Wexner Center also comes from the Greater Columbus Arts Council, The Columbus Foundation, Nationwide Foundation, and the Ohio Arts Council.
