Children's theater twists old tale

The Bigfork Playhouse Children's Theater presents "New Clothes for the Empress," opening today at the Bigfork Center for the Performing Arts.

Young audiences will love this fresh twist on "The Emperor's New Clothes," written by Eleanor Harder.

The clothes-conscious empress (Elizabeth Quist) is constantly demanding that her talented seamstress, Carlina (Sarah Jerger), devise ever-fancier and gaudier costumes in hopes of making the best-dressed list. But her costumes are in such terrible taste, nobody can stand to look at them.

Enter Lucinda (Grace Hegger), the jealous lady-in-waiting who wants to overthrow the kingdom. Lucinda disguises herself as Madame La Belle Mimi Fifi and offers the empress an imaginary fabric that only "honest" people can see. When the empress parades in front of her entire kingdom in her long red underwear (instead of the gorgeous Paris gown she thinks she is wearing), she learns an important lesson about vanity.

Rounding out the main cast are Travis Knoll, Olivia Witt, Isabelle Brooks, Mallery Knoll and Bailey Vogt.

Other cast members include Heather Bach, Hannah Barrett, Shelby Biedermann, Mikala Evans, Ariel Stallknecht, Zoe Gaiser, MaKenna Gembala, Christopher Landon, Amber McDaniel, Josie Rundle, Brittany Schnell, Jennifer Kriskovich, MacKenzie DuBeau, Madison Fraley, Quinci Paine, Kristi Persinger, Emily Smith, Madison Wood, Cody Dopps, Angela Gross, Mielle Hubbard and Seth Roessmann.

The director is Brach Thomson.

Performances dates are today through Sunday and Nov. 12-13 . All shows are at 7:30 p.m., except for the Sunday matinee at 2 p.m.

Tickets are available at the door for $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, $7 for students and $6 for children 10 and under.

Mallery Knoll as Sidney

Elizabeth Quist as the Empress

Bailey Vogt as Katrina

Grace Hegger as Lucinda