me arts ed

“A Tale of the Vienna Woods” written by arts educator and clay sculptor Cheryl Herr-Rains

For about 20 years the Vienna Historical Society located in the town of Vienna, population about 500, has been putting on original plays. Six years ago Gardiner Area High School art teacher, Cheryl Herr-Rains tried her hand at writing the play. This year Cheryl wrote “A Tale of the Vienna Woods” which is her version of “Little Red Riding Hood” and will be performed this Thursday, July 23rd and Friday, July 24th, 7:30 and Saturday, July 25th, 2:00 and 7:30 at the Vienna Union Hall.

“A Tale of the Vienna Woods” is the story of a girl who seeks fame, fortune and appreciation. The initial goal of the Red-cloaked Rosetta (Courtney Gilman) is simply to get to Gramma’s Rome cottage, but first, as the Narrator (Libby Harville) describes, she must journey through the deep, dark, dangerous Vienna Woods.

The way is filled with dastardly villains, impossible tasks, songs, dancing trees and fun adventures. Rosetta is guided by a mysterious and eccentric fairy (Muffy Floyd) intent on preserving the natural woodlands. They meet a developer, Mr. DeWolf (Dick Waddell), ably assisted by the hunch-backed Smiley (Alan Harville). Discovered along the trail is a smelly, lost woodsman (Chris Crocker) who turns out not to be who you think he is. Will Rosetta choose the traditional romantic ending?

This is Courtney’s 11th year in the VHS plays, or since she was five. Trees are portrayed by Don Peterson, Dodie Thompson, Quimby Robinson, Cheryl Herr-Rains, and Megan Burnham. The play is directed by Beverly Shaw, choreographed by Kathy Sterns, and accompanied on piano by Maisie Libby.

The second show of the evening is “Bobby Booney’s Tonic” written by Beverly Wright Smith and directed by Judy Dunn.

Admission for both plays is $5 for adults and $2 for children under 12. Please contact Cheryl if you have questions @ cherrrains@sad11.k12.me.us