MONMOUTH — Theater at Monmouth’s summer children’s show, “The Little Prince,” a heartwarming tale of love and friendship, will open June 23 and run through Aug. 17.
The adaptation for the stage by Rick Cummins and John Scoullar is based on the 1943 classic book by Antoine de Saint Exupery. “The Little Prince” is the most read and translated book in the French language. Translated into more than 250 languages and dialects, it has become one of the best-selling books ever published.
“The Little Prince” tells the story of an aviator forced to make an emergency landing in the Sahara Desert. He is befriended by a young boy, The Little Prince from Asteroid B-612.
In the days that follow, The Aviator learns about the prince’s journeys throughout the solar system. As he travels through space,The Little Prince encounters several strange grown-ups on different planetoids, all with a skewed way of looking at life. But it is not until he finally reaches Earth that The Little Prince learns his most important life lessons of all.
As The Little Prince shares his adventures through the galaxy, he helps The Aviator understand that “it is only with the heart that one can see rightly.”
Since publication, the book has been adapted for radio, stage, and screen. In 1974, Richard Burton won a Grammy Award for his narration. That same year, a film musical adaptation by Lerner and Lowe was released featuring Gene Wilder as The Fox and Bob Fosse as The Snake.
The show, running 50 minutes, will be staged at 1 p.m. on June 23 and 30; July 7, 14 and 31; and Aug. 2, 7, 12, 16 and 17 at Cumston Hall. Following each performance, audience members will get a chance to talk with the actors. Tickets are $12 for adults, $9 for children. Discounts available for groups of 10 or more. For tickets, call 933-9999 or visit www.theateratmonmouth.org.
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