It’s hard to believe that it has been a decade since the Lythgoe Family Panto first brought us A Snow White Christmas. But here we are and the 10th anniversary production is currently playing at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium through December 22nd.
For those unfamiliar with what a panto is, it takes considerable liberties with popular stories, mixes in contemporary music (and certainly not songs from the animated film of Snow White) to tell a skewed version of the story. There’s also room for plenty of ad-libbing amongst the cast. Suffice to say, this isn’t a standard Snow White.
Nor are you expected to be a standard audience. You are encouraged to hoot, holler, cheer and boo yourself silly through the performance. There are limited on-stage seats available for each show. But I would encourage you not to be too Dopey or Sleepy if you are going to purchase those tickets!
In this year’s production, Olivia Sanabia stars as Snow White. The recently unmasked Michelle Williams plays The Wicked Queen. Jared Gertner plays Muddles (obviously a dwarf). Garrett Clayton plays The Huntsman (must be prince charming by another name). Michael Campion plays Prince Harry (probably not the one you’re thinking of.) Neil Patrick Harris (via visual effects and not in person) plays The On Screen Magic Mirror.
If NPH is the only name that is immediately recognizable to you, ask your children. They’ll fill you in. The casting was designed for them.
If you saw the show when it was first performed, you’ll find some changes are afoot here. There are new songs and a new script (by Kris Lythgoe). A Snow White Christmas is directed by Bonnie Lythgoe with choreography by Napoleon and Tabitha D’umo.
Simply put, A Snow White Christmas is silly fun.
For tickets go here.
Main photo of Olivia Sanabia in “A Snow White Christmas” (Photo by Curtis Brown/Courtesy of “A Snow White Christmas”)