The Sunnyvale Sun

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CTC family series offers something for everyone

By ERIN HUSSEY

The California Theatre Center, a Sunnyvale-based not-for-profit theater group, kicks off its holiday season with a number of well-loved, family-friendly shows including The Frog Prince, The Elves and the Shoemaker and Madeline's Christmas.

The Frog Prince, popular folklore by the Brothers Grimm, will take the stage first. The play tells the tale of a spoiled, childish princess who promises to kiss a frog. At first she refuses to keep her promise but in time realizes the importance of honesty and honor and in the end her kiss breaks a spell, turning the frog into a handsome prince.

Sunnyvale resident Kyle Payne plays the frog prince. Unlike in some of his other performances with the CTC, such as The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Emma and the Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Payne will be practically invisible.

"I haven't done anything like this," he said, but added that he has enjoyed learning about puppetry and was excited to take on the role. While controlling the frog prince, Payne will be dressed from head to toe in dark clothes. This method of puppetry, known as Japanese bunrau, attempts to blend the actor into the background, allowing the puppet to take on a more true-to-life form.

"I like it because it's very physical acting," said Payne. He auditioned with his fiance for the CTC last May. While some of the CTC plays rely on puns and play-on-words to draw laughs, The Frog Prince focuses more on sound effects and physical humor.

"The play is for a younger audience," Payne said, "so there is more running around and falling."

While CTC's family series is marketed for children, it also incorporates some adult humor.

"It's the same way Sesame Street is geared toward children, but sometimes an adult joke sneaks in," Payne said.

For 31 years the CTC has provided the South Bay with three major programs: a resident company that performs primarily for students and families from October to May; a resident company that performs primarily for adults in the summer; and touring companies that perform regionally, nationally and internationally. The center also offers year-round educational and workshop programs for children ages 6 to 18. According to Payne, besides working with a great group of people, performing for younger audiences is why he likes acting for the CTC.

"I think there is something legitimately magical about being captivated and about being in the moment," he said. "I think that is something very childlike and something children can relate to. So for me, that is an important thing for children and adults."

For more information on the CTC or upcoming plays, call 408.245.2978 or visit www.ctcinc.org.