‘Law and Order' takes on fairy tale twist

By ELDON KLEIN/The Valley Chronicle

THE CHASE IS ON: Detectives H.D. and Cindy chase suspect B.B. Wolf in the Tahquitz High School production of ‘Law and Order: Fairy Tale Unit.’ ELDON KLEIN / The Valley Chronicle

TV drama and fairy tale characters will come together next week for “Law and Order: Fairy Tale Unit,” put on by the Tahquitz High School drama department.

The play, by Jonathan Rand, uses the formula from the “Law and Order” television show - but with a twist.

“I chose this play because I discovered my students liked ‘Law and Order,' and I wanted to do something fun and different and that would utilize a lot of students,” Monica Reichl, drama teacher and director of the play, said.

In the play, which runs about 90 minutes with intermissiion, detectives H.D. and Cindy (Humpty Dumpty and Cinderel-la) investigate the mysterious destruction of houses constructed out of foolish raw materials. Their investigation leads them to their suspect, B.B. Wolf, and he is arrested. On trial, with prosecutors Rumplestiltskin and Merm taking a hard line of attack, the shocking and disturbing truth is exposed.

Two characters, Chuh-Chunk and Time/Location, mark the time and locations throughout the play, much like the segments in the TV show that show white words on a black background with the time and location of the following action, preceded by a “chuh-chunk” sound.

Sydne Acton, a freshman, plays Cindy. She last performed as the Cheshire Cat in Tahquitz's production of “Alice in Wonderland.”

She said she has had fun with “Law and Order: Fairy Tale Unit.”

“I like the humor of this play and how it is so modern. I like my role because I can have fun and be funny,” she said.

The humor of the production also appealed to Beverly Gil, aka Chuh-Chunk.

“This is my first play and it is fun. ... I like this play because it is a mystery and there are a lot of jokes and puns,” said Beverly, a freshman.

Rosio Estrella (Time/Loca-tion), a freshman, said, “This play is fun and serious at the same time. There are a lot of puns and you have to pay attention to get them.”

Stephen Lopez plays a villain B.B. Wolf.

“It is all right being the villain. I get to act evil for a change,” said the freshman, who helped on the “Alice in Wonderland” crew.

“Law and Order: Fairy Tale Unit” will be performed at 7 p.m. May 15 and 16 and at 2 p.m. May 17 at the Tahquitz theater, at 4425 W. Commonwealth Ave. in Hemet. All tickets are $5. For information, call Reichl at 765-6300.

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