Twisting Tales with Heart: Iowa Central's Fall Play Reimagines Grimm Classics

Emily Denholm, Public Information Office
9/16/2025

This October, Iowa Central’s Theatre Department invites audiences to dive into a whirlwind of fairy tales with The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon, a fast-paced comedy by Don Zolidis that turns classic stories on their heads. Directed by Sean Mulvihill, the production promises laughter and a fresh take on the narratives we think we know.

“Zolidis has this brilliant way of blending absurdity with truth,” said Mulvihill, Director of Theatre at Iowa Central. “His script is hilarious, but it also asks us to think about the stories we tell ourselves—how sometimes the simplest explanation is often the best, and how overcomplicating things can lead us astray.”

The play features two narrators and a cast of versatile performers who race through over 200 Grimm fairy tales, from well-known favorites like Snow White and Hansel and Gretel to obscure gems like The Devil’s Grandmother and The Girl Without Hands. With rapid costume changes, slapstick, and tongue-in-cheek commentary, the show is a theatrical rollercoaster.

But beneath the chaos lies a deeper message. “At its core, this play is about compassion,” Mulvihill explained. “It reminds us that life’s difficulties are best faced together—with kindness, not resistance. That’s a message our production team really connected with, and it’s something we hope resonates with our audience too.”

Don Zolidis, a prolific playwright known for his witty and accessible works, wrote Spectaculathon as a celebration of storytelling and theatrical creativity. His plays are staples in high school and college theatre programs across the country, and this production continues that tradition with Iowa Central’s signature energy and heart.

The cast is made up of 16 returning students and 15 who are new to our program. The audition process revealed the students’ ability to be creative on their feet, stretch the exaggeration of a scene, expand the dynamics of each character, and the high energy of this ensemble. This cast has already proven their positive attitudes to be supportive of one another.

Mark your calendars and reserve your seats for Iowa Central’s fall production of The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon running October 16-18 at 7:00 pm each evening in the Center for Performing Arts at Decker Auditorium. Tickets will be available to the public beginning September 8. Admission is $15 for adults and $5 for students. Tickets may be purchased online at iowacentral.edu/fallplay; in person at the Box Office located at the south entrance of the Center for Performing Arts–Decker Auditorium (Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.), or by phone at (515) 574-1210 (Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.).