review - DISENCHANTED - Fountain Hills Theater

the cast of Disenchanted
photo courtesy Fountain Hills Theater

by Carolyn Thomas

Disenchanted sing-songs through a line of Disney princesses with chips on their shoulders and stories to set straight. Fountain Hills Theater's production playfully digs at Disney's most iconic royals and the way they've been portrayed, but in criticizing stereotypes and generalizations, the show perpetuates just as many. However, the performance is fun and naughty, though much of the humor relies on low-hanging comic fruit.

Affectionately called 'DIS', Disenchanted had a limited Off-Broadway run between 2014 and 2015 and won a small batch of awards. The book, music, and lyrics were all written by Dennis T. Giacino, and Disenchanted is his only notable credit to date. The show is chock-full of cheap shots and humor that is definitely not Disney-appropriate, which is part of its charm. While some of the princesses' complaints are exactly what you hope to hear called out, such as Pocahontas being only ten when her true story took place yet being portrayed by Disney with double-Ds, the rest are largely expected and unimaginative. Gripes range from painful shoes to maintaining a waist the size of their necks. While the show makes sure to include princesses of color, the humor around their racial identities is tired, and the knowledge that it was all written by a white man certainly doesn't help its case. On the other hand, Disenchanted gets us closer than we've ever gotten to having a lesbian Disney princess, so it's hard to stay mad at that.

Fountain Hills Theater's production has many strengths, but several points for improvement as well. Brandi Bigley's Snow White is a saucy delight. Her comic timing and stage presence make her the perfect ringleader for these protesting princesses. Erica Glenn portrays Cinderella with bright-eyed ditzy humor worthy of SNL, a true delight every time she graces the stage. Anna Sell's swagger as Hua Mulan is delightful, her little moments of physical humor and comic expressions throughout the show stand out even in full ensemble. Elizabeth Bridgewater as Sleeping Beauty channels a wonderfully hilarious Kristen Wiig-esque humor that grows stronger as the show progresses. Tina Khalil's comic delivery excels in her jazzy take on Princess Badroulbadour, and Airiana Iniguez brings poignancy to Pocahontas. Breanna Ghostone commands the stage as The Princess Who Kissed the Frog. Kori Stearns, Julie Gore, and Leah Klein each bring something uniquely their own to Belle, The Little Mermaid, and Rapunzel, respectively.

Peter J. Hill's direction adds comedy to the little moments, moments often funnier than the script itself, though the timing and flow could use more attention. His set design is simple, pink, and prim, a castle facade that evokes the 'happiest place on earth'. Noël Irick's costume designs are bright, playful, and an absolute delight on stage, and her choreography is simple and effective. The hair and makeup, done by Patsy Johnson, MaryBeth Ingram, and Allison Hacker, do a wonderful job of evoking the respective princesses. Lighting and Sound Design by Ross Collins compliments the production well, and Robin Peterson's music direction suits the production.

Though the script doesn't reach perfection, Fountain Hills Theater produces an entertaining night of jaded princesses that earns quite a few genuine laughs.

CLICK HERE for more information on this production, which runs through May 26