Ensemble Theatre Bringing "The Little Prince" to Stage

Any parent with Netflix can probably attest to the positive effect the film version of The Little Prince has
on children. Engaging storytelling, beautiful animation, and the
powerful message mesmerizes kids without the use of superheroes or
extravagant special effects.

Ensemble Theatre, continuing its 38th season, is bringing the staged
version of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s seminal 1943 novella to Cleveland
Heights when “The Little Prince” opens in its Playground Theatre on Dec. 1.

Following the success of last year’s “The Phantom Toll Booth,” Ensemble has brought back director Brittni Shambaugh Addison for its production of “The Little Prince.”

“Before moving to Cleveland I worked as a member of the professional
acting company at the Honolulu Theatre for Youth,” Addison said. “The
thing about performing or directing for young audiences is they will let
you know how they are feeling about the production in the moment. If
they are invested, you’ll know. If they are disengaged, you will
absolutely know. There is something really beautiful about that
honesty.”

“Some people are of the mindset that when doing TYA [theater for
youth audiences] you have to ‘talk down’ to the audience or ‘camp it
up.’ I strongly disagree,” she said. “Children are brilliant. If you
give them a piece of theatrical art that they can relate to and connect
with, they will go on the journey with you.”

Written by Rick Cummins and John Scoullar, “The Little Prince” tells
the story of a world-weary and disenchanted Aviator whose sputtering
plane strands him in the Sahara Desert where he meets a mysterious,
regal "little man.” During their two weeks together in the desert, the
Little Prince tells the Aviator about his adventures through the galaxy,
and all the characters he’s met and lessons he learned from each.

“Ultimately, it is a story of enduring friendship—of looking out for
one another and being willing to learn from one another—things that are
so important today,” Addison explained. “It is about child-like
innocence. It is about hope. It is about the belief that one person
really can change the world, just by believing that they can.”

“The Little Prince” runs Dec. 1–17 at Ensemble Theatre, 2843 Washington Blvd. in Cleveland Heights.

For tickets or information, call the box office at 216-321-2930, or visit www.ensembletheatrecle.org.