THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, February 9, 1995 TAG: 9502080224
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 10 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: FRANKLIN LENGTH: Medium: 66 lines
ONSTAGE, CAROLINE KENNEY is Rumpelstiltskin, a gnome.
Offstage, she stands 5 feet, 9 inches tall.
Kenney is the star of Theatre IV's musical version of the famed Grimm fairy tale, ``Rumpelstiltskin.'' It will be presented Sunday in the Franklin High School auditorium.
The magical musical tells of a peasant girl who is drawn into trouble after her father boasts that she can spin straw into gold.
A prince tests dad's big fib, forcing the girl to fall into the debt of the mysterious gnome, Rumpelstiltskin.
As with most good children's stories there is a moral. We don't want to spoil the story for you, but it could provide a good opportunity for discussion between parents and young viewers.
``Rumpelstiltskin'' is filled with songs and humor, said Bramble Kipple, public relations director for Theatre IV.
Kenney, who portrayed Lester Looney in Theatre IV's 1994 production of ``Raggedy Ann and Andy,'' is right at home with the kids. ``I think it's great fun,'' she said.
She joined the Richmond-based theater company in May, straight out of Shenandoah Conservatory in Winchester, where she got a bachelor of fine arts degree in musical theater.
``Acting was a childhood ambition. I was born with it,'' Kenney said. ``My parents both majored in drama, both encouraged me. My father did a lot of shows.''
She and the Rumpelstiltskin crew also are doing a lot of shows - in Virginia, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, North and South Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia.
``Kids' audiences everywhere are wonderful,'' Kenney said in a phone interview from Theatre IV's Richmond headquarters. ``The audiences are always different. You never know what to expect.''
She added, ``With children, the more fun we have, the more fun they have. We're usually very broad. We get their attention and pull them in.
``I think adults enjoy it, too. They enjoy watching their children's reactions. I really love being with children.''
Kenney's ultimate ambition is to have her own theater.
Kenney describes Rumpelstiltskin as ``strange, gobliney,'' noting that she gets by with makeup and songs ``written in a woman's key.''
Kenney's dream role? ``Since I was very little, I always wanted to play Rose in ``Gypsy.'' It was the first live musical I remember seeing. The role is amazing. . . .''
The Franklin production is presented by Paul D. Camp Community College's Office of Community and Continuing Education, the Franklin Kiwanis and the PDCCC Circle K Club. Major support is from the Camp Family Foundation. ILLUSTRATION: Caroline Kenney stars in Theatre IV's production of
``Rumpelstiltskin,'' which will be onstage at Franklin High School
on Sunday.
AT A GLANCE
When: Sunday, 2 p.m.
Where: Franklin High School auditorium, 310 Crescent Drive
Tickets: $5 in advance or at the door
Information: 569-6790
by CNB