Musings on writing and producing "American" Pantos...
While Panto is often seen as a uniquely British holiday entertainment, it was actually popular on American stages from the late 18th to end of the 19th century. George L. Fox played a pivotal role in pantomime during this time, with his performance in Humpty Dumpty drawing large crowds and inspiring a series of sequels. Of course, during this period American Pantos were very-much influenced by the British style.
In 2013, I wondered if it would be too unconventional to adapt the Panto format to a well-known American story. I believed there was a way to step away from the frequently performed British Panto classics like Cinderella, Jack & the Beanstalk, and Aladdin. The challenge was identifying which American tales would suit this format and which traditional routines would resonate with an American story. I also questioned whether our audiences would embrace this idea.
Still, I had a bee in my bonnet, as they say...and one day, I caught sight of Washington Irving's The LEGEND of SLEEPY HOLLOW sitting on my bookshelf. Huzzah! This would mark the beginning of what became a beloved series of American Pantos. Three years later, we brought to life The WIZARD of OZ (I played the Wicked Witch of the West myself!), and three years after that, we tackled the American tall-tale of PAUL BUNYAN.
What a delight it was to explore the folk tales and legends surrounding this larger-than-life character! Crafting a concise PAUL BUNYAN Panto from the wealth of stories was a challenge I relished. One theme I was eager to include was his insatiable love for pancakes—especially those colossal flapjacks that always led to hilariously chaotic situations. It struck me that the American twist on the Gingerbread Man story features a runaway pancake, and connecting Paul's adventures to this tale was truly a "chef's kiss"! (Pun intended!)
