GREENSBORO – North Carolina Theatre for Young People at The University of North Carolina at Greensboro will take families on a journey of humor, heart and heroes when it presents “A Village Fable” Nov. 15-23.

The musical tale is about three individuals who are shunned for being different. Armida, a blacksmith’s daughter, is strong, intelligent and courageous defying the limited role of women in her world. Prince Christopher, the musically-inclined heir to the throne, is not the warrior his feather wants him to be. Chudu the Goat Man is ostracized for his looks.

Their stories intertwine as each character is pushed to conform to social, political and gender roles. On the road to the mountains, they must find the inner courage to face the truth about themselves.

“‘A Village Fable’ is about the journey every human being makes on this planet,” said director Rachel Briley. “We all struggle with the tension between fitting in and standing out. We all thirst for acceptance and love.”

Michael Keck, who composed the play’s music, recently spent four days on campus working with the cast as a guest artist. Keck has received international acclaim for his work as an actor, director, playwright and composer.

Kim Stauffer plays Armida, Kyle Payne plays Prince Christopher, and Brandon Ellis plays Chudu. Andrew Liebchen designed the scenes, Cana Gyongyos designed the costumes, and Chelsea DeSantis designed the lighting.

“This play is about knowing and accepting ourselves for who we are and having the vulnerability and courage to bring that to others,” Briley said. “These issues are particularly relevant in a world that increasingly invites us to listen to everything but the voice within.”

James Still adapted the play from “In the Suicide Mountains,” a novella by James Gardner.

The play will be performed in Taylor Theatre at 2 p.m. Nov. 15, 16, 22 and 23; at 8 p.m. Nov. 21; and 9:30 a.m. and noon Nov. 18-21. Free parking is available behind the Weatherspoon Art Museum for evening and weekend performances.

At the opening performance, 2 p.m. Nov. 15, theatre honor society Alpha Psi Omega will hold a food drive. Those who bring a can of food will receive a free ticket to the 2 p.m. performance.

To order tickets by phone, call (336) 334-4849 on weekdays between noon and 5 p.m.  Tickets also are available at the University Box Office and one hour before curtain time at Taylor Theatre.

For more information, visit the Department of Theatre’s web site at www.uncg.edu/the.

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