SYNOPSIS: This family musical is a fairy tale of sorts with contemporary sensibilities, concerning a spirited young girl (Gina), a superlative baker of pies, who is determined to go out into the world “to make my way as I bake my pies and wake each day to a new surprise.”The story is framed by the zany exploits of a group of Traveling Players. Gina joins them and soon finds herself in the kingdom of Mintz, ruled by a handsome but grumpy Prince. Mintz is also a place where, “within the city limits, the law prohibits any negative utterance, any negative mumbling mutterance.” But Gina, having a mind of her own, dares an emphatic “NO!” when the Prince demands that she stay in Mintz and bake pies only for him. Delightful complications ensue, including the slaying of a giant green dragon with horrible breath, before Gina and the Traveling Players continue their bumpy but adventurous way to parts unknown. This is one of the most flexible musicals for casting that you will find, with 18 speaking parts, that with doubling can be performed with as few as 8 actors (4f/4m). Extras with significant roles, such as townspeople, traveling players, acrobats and dancers, all with choral possibilities, can expand the production to 28. Based on Nancy Patz's popular children's book Gina Farina and the Prince of Mintz, this enchanting musical premiered at New York State Theatre Institute in 2003. PRESS
"Deliciously good fun...a delightful new musical with a bright and quite funny script." Times Union, Albany, New York "A perfect blend of fun and music...the show, with a heroine who's cousin to the plucky Alice in Wonderland and Dorothy in Oz, is a delightful outing for all." The Daily Gazette, Schenectady, New York"...thoroughly delightful...enough going on to satisy even the most sophisticated playgoer. This is a musical present sure to please all." WAMC, Northeast Public Radio