Slumber Party

Favorite fairy tale is set to song

Comments (0) By Margaret Griffis and Juan Carlos Rodriguez Thursday, Nov 20 2003

SAT 11/22

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Whether children know her as Princess Aurora, Briar Rose, or just plain ol' Sleeping Beauty, this ancient fairy tale has never failed to enchant them, especially in a live theater setting. The story is very old. Scholars believe it to have origins in the Volsunga Sagas and Arthurian Romances but it's perhaps with Charles Perrault (Mother Goose) or the Brothers Grimm that the folktale begins to resemble the modern storyline: A beautiful princess is cursed to sleep a hundred years until a prince comes to rescue her from slumber with an eye-opening kiss. Variations on the theme are countless, with many of them unsuitable for today's pampered youngsters. (Some of the old violent versions are even unsuitable for today's porn industry.) Currently at the Actors' Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre (280 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables) is a kid-friendly musical adaptation. The battling fairies, thorn-covered castle, and upset parents are still there but enhanced by the music of Norman Sachs and lyrics of Barbara Fried. The Actors' Playhouse Children's Theatre uses a cast of adults who have won top honors for their work. Performances take place Saturdays at 11:00 a.m. and run through Saturday, December 27. Tickets cost $9. Call 305-444-9293. -- By Margaret Griffis

Auto Therapy

Horsepower gets brats to behave

SAT 11/22Here's a great way to shut the kids up when they're in the car. Scare the hell out of them. For just one dollar the stock car drivers at Hialeah Speedway (3300 W. Okeechobee Rd.) will squeeze your little brat into the cockpit, put the pedal to the metal, and burn rubber. Crack a beer and listen as your offspring from hell screams his or her little lungs out. If that doesn't work, maybe you can surreptitiously throw them in the back of a demolition derby car for some more scream therapy. The doors open at 7:00 p.m. Admission costs $10, ages 6-12 cost $5. Call 305-821-6644. -- By Juan Carlos Rodriguez