Swiss Family Robinson

When the Robinson family is shipwrecked on an uninhabited island, they find a new world of adventure and knowledge. As they learn to cope with the many problems of life on the island, this close-knit family creates a rather comfortable lifestyle in a tropical paradise.

After their ship founders in a storm, the members of the Robinson family, including their dogs, awake on a deserted, island beach. Father (John) and his sons Fritz, Ernst, and Jack salvage as much as they can from the wreck including livestock and tools. The family constructs a tree house in a huge tree and makes several startling discoveries nearby. The oldest boy, Fritz, investigates the entire island and wildlife by canoe, while Mother (Elizabeth) tries to keep her young daughter, Frannie, out of trouble. Jack has run across mysterious footprints on the supposedly deserted island while exploring. Father believes he’s seen a human shadow among the trees, but is also worried about wild animal attacks. The tension and mystery builds during the course of the play.

Swiss Family Robinson boasts pirates, damsels in distress, a brave family, sea captains, comedy, adventure, and more! You do not want to miss this swashbuckling tale, only at Renaissance Theatre.

The novel, written by Johann David Wyss in 1813, was adapted for Renaissance Theatre by Anne Swanson at the request of Artist Director, Bob Baker. The script, edited and revised by Bob Baker, Arecia Jones, and Gayl Miller, has been work-shopped since casting a few months ago, with a huge amount of editing and cutting to get the production down to a comfortable 90-minute show.

The show offers several newcomers to the Renaissance Theatre stage, and features Clifton Craig, Jacque Bernard, Jason Perreault, Colby Deason, Sierra Forsythe, and Theresa Gardiner portraying the Robinson family. Allen Inman, Cheri Furno, and Andrew Foxx play the pirates and Mark Marek plays the rescuing sea captain. Madison Johnson will portray Jenny, a young girl also stranded on the island, having been there almost a year before the Robinsons’ shipwrecked on it!

The production, directed by Gayl Miller and Bob Baker, includes Baker acting as the designer and scenic artist on the play. He is assisted by Sharon Griffith, who is helping with props and general brainstorming. “She’s the best,” says Bob, “the children and young people have been a real blessing to the show, they knew their lines before anyone else and have been enthusiastic about the project from the beginning.” Costumes by Margie Cumbie, Stage Management provided by Elizabeth Scott, and Renee Gardiner is handling the Box Office. Gay Broad provides assistance in too many ways to mention.

Tickets are $10. Renaissance Theatre is located at 1216 Meridian Street, Huntsville, Alabama 35801. The show opens June 22 and runs through July 1, upstairs on the Main Stage. Don’t miss it!