Public performances will be held March 8 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and March 9 at 2 p.m. The show will also perform for school groups on March 6 and 7 at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. All performances will take place in Strayer-Wood Theatre on the University of Northern Iowa campus. The production is best enjoyed by ages 7 and up. 

Before there was Hansel, there was Gretel! Based on the Russian source that is the origin of the tale, this musical features folk and rock music that captures the darkness and humor of Gretel’s journey. Gretel's pain and suffering (cloaked as her stepmother and stepsister) send her to fetch the skull of undying light from Baba Yaga, the feared witch who lives in the trees. Once Gretel reaches Baba Yaga’s hut on chicken legs, she confronts the witch. Baba Yaga sets three impossible tasks for Gretel to complete in exchange for the skull, encouraging the girl to harness her power of rage and revenge. In the tasks, Gretel must decide the type of magic she wants to be known for – anger or compassion – as she teaches herself how to survive.