Chelsea Majors as Aurora, Carl L. Williams as Rolly, (in back:) Sally Imbriano as Queen/Mom, and Jake Stibbe as King/Dad. Photo by Cameron Whitman.
Who needs to learn history in social studies or read fairy tales in English class when you can go back in time to meet a beloved princess instead? In Adventure Theatre MTC’s “Sleeping Beauty: The Time Traveler,” families can experience all this and more, with a musical twist.
…innovative technical feats and a stellar cast…is not to be missed.
With a book and direction by Janet Stanford and music and lyrics by Deborah Wicks La Puma and Andrea Dodds, respectively, “Sleeping Beauty: The Time Traveler” follows Rolly (Carl L. Williams), a young boy who would rather play Nintendo than learn, as he embarks on a family vacation to a French castle—Aurora’s castle. After triggering a magical spindle, Rolly finds himself transported to the Renaissance where young Aurora (Chelsea Majors) is confined to the castle by her protective parents, the King (Jake Stibbe) and Queen (Sally Imbriano). Fans of the Brothers Grimm fairy tale can probably guess why. Rolly and Aurora must work together not only to uncover the truth behind why she is “grounded,” but also to get Rolly back to his own time.
The magical world leaps from the storybook onto the stage thanks to the imaginative set design by Dom Ocampo. It features a playful, two-tiered set that beautifully showcases Andrea “Dre” Moore’s whimsical props, including a larger-than-life rotating hourglass and a period-appropriate spindle. The show is brought even further to life by Lynn Joslin’s vibrant lighting design and Kenny Neal’s crisp sound design. While balancing two distinct eras is no easy feat, Paris Francesca’s costuming for Aurora missed the mark for me. Francesca absolutely nailed the looks for the rest of the cast, which only made Aurora feel slightly more out of place by comparison. Ultimately, Stanford’s vision is seamlessly realized by the talented team of designers assembled for this production.
Adventure Theatre MTC consistently knocks its casting out of the park, and “Sleeping Beauty: The Time Traveler” is no exception. Majors perfectly captures Aurora’s childlike wonder, while Williams’ smooth vocals and spirited portrayal of Rolly are an absolute joy to watch. Stibbe’s remarkable versatility and distinct contrasts between his multiple characters are wildly entertaining and, at times, just a little frightening for the younger audience members. However, it was Imbriano who truly stood out for me. Her vocals (with kudos to music director Elisa Rosman) soar throughout the show’s lively ensemble numbers, expertly choreographed by Kurt Boehm, while her performance shines just as brightly as both a commanding queen and a warm, fun-loving mother.
Adventure Theatre MTC continues to set the standard for theatre for young audiences in the DMV. Between its innovative technical feats and a stellar cast, “Sleeping Beauty: The Time Traveler”—or any production in its upcoming season—is not to be missed.
Running Time: One hour with no intermission.
“Sleeping Beauty: The Time Traveler” runs through August 23, 2026 (Wednesday through Sunday at 11:00 a.m. and Saturday and Sunday at 2:00 p.m.) at Adventure Theatre MTC, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo, MD. Tickets ($28, with group and field trip rates available). For more information and to purchase tickets, call the Box Office at 301.634.2270 or go online.
