Princesses, punchlines, and… ‘Game of Thrones’?

This year’s Fall play, entitled “Game of Tiaras,” promises big things, including dance sequences, fight scenes, and comically off-brand versions of beloved Disney characters. 

Plainfield North English teacher Karl Smith is directing the play for the second year running, and he’s making big promises about this year’s show. In the wake of the hilarious production that was last year’s “The Holiday Channel Christmas Movie Wonderthon,” Smith has once again chosen another comedy that is sure to be good. 

“It combines certain well-known and well-loved characters with the Game of Thrones narrative. So it’s kind of like Disney Princesses meets Game of Thrones,” Smith said. The play centers around three sisters: Cinderella, Belle, and Ellie the Snow Queen (who bears no resemblance at all to a copyrighted character from a recent movie). The three sisters duke it out for their share of land after their father decides to split it between them. 

The production is one of Plainfield North’s largest plays in recent years, with a huge cast and crew working both on-stage and behind the scenes.

“This play afforded me the opportunity to have a cast of nearly 40 students, and that’s not counting all of the kids on tech crew. We’re, in total, pushing about 70 people,” Smith said. With such a large group to coordinate, it sounds like a struggle, but Smith says he’s proud of the production so far. 

“I think the set is going to be very impressive. We have a huge backdrop coming, and suits of armour, and all kinds of things,” says Smith. While the set sounds like a work of art, the cast is also excited to stage certain portions of the show.

“We have a lot of fun fight scenes that I’m very excited for our audience to see,” says senior Lily Pyatt, who plays Ellie. “We also have a dance scene, which I am looking forward to,” adds junior McKayla Bell, who plays Cinderella. 

With plenty of memorable moments, and such a large cast, the play is sure to be something that students won’t want to miss. 

“We have kids who are volleyball players, tennis players and band members. It’s just a great opportunity to come and support this big group of kids who have worked so hard,” says Smith. “I’ve done this long enough to know this is going to be a really special show.”

“I think it’s a good break from reality, because it’s so far away from real life,” says Bell. With November heralding the start of finals prep, the play makes a good way to unwind and just enjoy a good-old-fashioned comedy.

“It’s just freaking awesome,” says Pyatt. 

“Game of Tiaras” has performances on Nov. 14 and 15 at 7 p.m., and Nov. 16 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the link in PNHS Theatre’s Instagram bio (@pnhs.theatre) or by scanning the QR code on the backpack tags of cast and crew members.