Round tale stars regal children

Jeff Benson

Adorned with a gold crown and a crimson robe, 9-year-old Maxwell

Newson belted out his kingliest decree Wednesday in front of the

Newport Elementary School student body.

“Let the entertainment begin!” he said. “We have here, from all

the way across the continent, the Macedonian maidens. Those

Macedonians sure know how to shake it!”

Maxwell auditioned and practiced for four months to become snooty

King Arthur, the main character in Newport Elementary’s comedic

production of “King Arthur’s Quest -- A Knightly Tale of Magic,”

which will hold performances at 6:30 p.m. today and Saturday and at 3

p.m. Sunday in the school cafeteria. Tickets are $5 for regular

seating and $15 for seats in the first five rows.

It doesn’t take long to realize this isn’t your typical

square-peg-in-a-Round-Table kind of production. It’s quirkiness knows

no bounds.

Unbeknownst to Hollywood execs and Monty Python fans alike, it

appears King Arthur has contracted some problems with his royal

belly. But his highness is too pompous to visit the local apothecary

himself, so he sends out members of his cabinet in a quest for the

coveted Pepto Bismol.

“All other times, I just shoo people away,” Maxwell said. “It’s a

lot of fun.”

The production is also the directing debut for veteran stage

performer Ana Maria Gedney, 24.

Gedney and a parent committee teamed up to write the script, which

combines the story line of Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Princess

and the Magical Pea,” with the characters and setting of King

Arthur’s court.

In doing so, they found roles for 70 young actors, ages 5 to 12,

who play everything from knights and wizards to witches and dancers.

“In the last couple weeks, it’s all gelled together,” Gedney said.

“They have stepped up 120% in everything. I respect their work

more than I’ve respected any adult actor. It’s a big script. They’re

so young, and I respect their energy.”

One of the main story lines involves a young Prince Gwidion,

played by Jacob Bixenman, 10, who leaves the court to find a royal

bride.

But princesses don’t grow on trees -- at least not the Camelot

variety -- and Gwidion’s search is compounded when a pair of witches

try to pass themselves off as “true princesses.”

This is Jacob’s first big role in a school play, but even he knows

better than to give away a good ending.

David Gardner, who’s handling the play’s publicity, did hint that

Newport Elementary Principal Amy Nagy will make a guest appearance

that even the young actors aren’t yet aware of.

And kindergarten teacher David Nguyen will also don a bunny outfit

to complement those his students are wearing.

“It’s kind of an unusual plot for a student play, I guess,”

Gardner said.

Some students called this production the hardest they’ve ever

participated in because there’s a bit more acting and dialogue

involved. Many of them had participated in musical revues in the

past.

“It’s a lot more complicated,” said Amy Rapillo, 10, who plays the

part of the queen’s attendant, Lady Igraine. “This is the most

serious play I’ve done, but it’s funny in a lot of ways.

“I’m pretty excited about it.”