Season opens for Fairy Tales in the Park

WHICH WITCH iS WHICH?- Pat Newbert, Marilyn Zaslow and Roxanne Diesel prepare for their roles in "Witch Switch," a fractured fairy tale that combines the plot lines of "Hansel and Gretel" and "Rapunzel."

The Gypsies in a Trunk will perform "Witch Switch," an original play combining the stories of "Rapunzel" and "Hansel and Gretel," in parks around the county as part of its 13th season of free Fairy Tales in the Park.

Performances will be at 11 a.m. Sat., June 2 at Foxfield Park on Foxfield Drive in Westlake Village and at 4 p.m. the same day at the Rancho Simi Amphitheater in Rancho Simi Community Park at Erringer Road and Royal Avenue in Simi Valley. The troupe will also perform at 11:30 a.m. Sat., June 9 behind the Community Recreation Center at 1605 E. Burnley St. in Camarillo. Seating is available on the ground at all locations. Patrons may bring blankets, lunch or snacks but no pets.

The story, written by John Logue for the troupe, tells a tale of witches Laverne and Shirley. Shirley is finding life with a teenage daughter to be a bit trying, while Laverne has done everything to get the neighborhood children to visit her gingerbread cottage. When they decide to switch places, they learn a few lessons about children and growing up.

The show stars Roxanne Diesel, Sarah Johnson, Pat Newbert, Shea Taylor and Marilyn Zaslow.

For information, call (661) 7183968 or go to the website www.fairytalesinthepark.com.