Prior to the show, I'd read it twice (once in French). Since, I've remembered it as an extremely imaginative meditation on, among other things, love, childhood and creativity.
Well, I must commend our theater department, as the production expressed these themes vividly and poignantly. The set was a bit minimal; there were a few platforms, a screen for the sunset and innumerable paper-lanterns hanging from the ceiling of the entire theater. The "narrators" (who ended up adapting very well to the numerous small roles such as the fox or the businessman) had only these big rubber balls that were used for various purposes and flashlights.
The Little Prince himself was as whimsical and enthusiastic as the the one in Saint-Exupéry's text, and the Rose was stubborn yet delicate ("with only four thorns"), as was warranted. The Aviator (Saint-Exupéry himself in the book) was strong, convincing and a brilliant narrator.
The "best," as the kids call it, scenes for me: the Rose and The Little Prince's goodbye, the "taming" of the fox and TLP drinking water in the desert as a sort of "Ahhhh" moment.
Overall, the production was so beautiful, so sensitive, so (dare I say it?) perfect that I feel obligated to document it. Later, I spoke with a friend who's very involved with the theater department, and has been at school as long as I have (fall '03); he said, "I'm pretty sure this is the best thing we've ever done." So props to the actors and crew (assuming that someone involved with the production will come across this 'umble lil page). My one complaint: crying babies.
It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.
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