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By Julianne Mosher

Not all fairy tales have a happy ending despite what “the mouse” wants you to think.

Don Zolidis’ The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon is Suffolk County Community College’s latest production at Theatre 119 located on the Ammerman Campus in Selden. The show recreates all 209 fairy tales written by the Brothers Grimm including Rapunzel, Rumpelstiltskin, Hansel and Gretel, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella and more. But don’t expect the fairy Godmother to make an appearance or for the characters to break into song — this isn’t a Disney show.

When the red curtain opens, we’re introduced to two narrators, River Monastero and Krystian Karwowski. Dressed in the most whimsical costumes (from designer Andrew Wittkamper), the two attempt to tell the fables and tales combined into one giant story in a fast-paced and super clever extravaganza. Both have a way of sharing the tales with a great presence on stage.

Directed by Bryan Kimmelman, the show has no intermission, which means the audience gets a full hour-and-a-half of a hysterically fun (and sometimes improved) show that is different than anything else you’ve ever seen before.

Set in various fairy tale locations, the story begins with a dirt-poor girl who makes three deals with the devil, a witch, and Rumpelstiltskin. The girl meets a prince, falls in love, finds riches and has a baby (who ends up being an angsty teenage Rapunzel dressed in her leather jacket and cell phone in hand). We learn that Rapunzel’s grandmother was actually Gretel (of Hansel and Gretel) and from there on several fables and fairy tales intertwine into one large hodgepodge of silly, chaos, magic and randomness. 

The show features modern and exaggerated humor, and the actors add modern interpretations to the stories — for example a sassy fashion show where the stage turns into a catwalk to prove who really is the fairest of them all. 

The talented students of SCCC play multiple parts — a feat that proves difficult considering the show is so quickly paced. Karwowski shines playing the narrator (along with the devil and as dwarf number 2), while other actors including Nicholas Maggipinto  (the actor, Hansel, Johannes), John Woolard (dirt merchant prince, prince number 2), Isabella Romero (Snow White, the enchantress), Kite Harrison (witch number 2, Rumpelstiltskin), Christina Keller (Plinkie Plie, Rapunzel), Aiden Gomez (the king, dwarf number 1, heckling audience member), Mia Lombardi (the girl, Gretel, Cinderella) and Mollie Sebor (the witch, the talking raven and the queen) show off their talent by switching characters not only by act, but within the same scene. 

You might want to brush up on your Grimm’s fairy tales, though, because they also delve into some of the more obscure stories like Lean Lisa and The Devil’s Grandmother. The narrators often break the fourth wall, so be prepared to get involved as you are expected to help prevent Hansel and Gretel from going into the witch’s house by yelling, “don’t go in there!” anytime they make a poor decision (as one does in any good horror movie).

You’ll laugh your gold slippers off (no, not glass slippers … again, this isn’t Disney), so be sure to check this show out. 

The Theatres at Suffolk County Community College present The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon in Theatre 119, Islip Arts Building, SCCC Ammerman, 533 College Road, Selden on Oct. 10 at 7:30 p.m. and on Oct. 13 at 2 p.m. General admission is $15, veterans and students 16 years of age or younger $10. SCCC students with current ID are offered one free ticket. To order, please call the box office at 631-451-4163.