The Firehouse Community Theater’s summer youth program has always put on fun and entertaining shows, but this season the theater is absolutely bursting at the seams with talent. Upon arriving, we were greeted by the most adorable fairies at the door. From then on, Haphazardly Ever After was filled with perfectly timed puns, amazingly accurate accents, mellifluous songs, and delightful dancing, as these young actors presented one of the funnest performances I have seen in a long time.

The enchanted and engaging narrator, Grace McGIrt, lead us through each scene with the gentle strumming of her ukulele, while King Barnabas, played by gifted Conner Harper, and Queen Mildred, played by the brilliant Channing Roper, delivered a masterful performance alongside the rest of the top-notch cast. The story of a beloved king and queen who are having trouble raising their four children: the ornery Princess Cinnamon, the silly Princess Peppermint, the ever-so-vain Prince Hairgel, and Prince Slacker, who certainly lives up to his name. The king and queen try everything to bring happiness and harmony to their family from hiring a royal therapist and royal teachers, and even matchmaking, all to no avail. They hatch a plan to create their own fairytale, and of course, nothing goes as planned, but through a series of haphazard events, the royal family finds their happily ever after.

The audience actually roared with laughter and applause between every scene. A job well done to all, especially Director Rhonda Welky, who with the help of her hardworking daughter, Junior Director, Natalie Welky, and of course the rest of the crew- created an unforgettable theater experience. You won’t want to miss the next one, The Enchanted Bookshop, by Todd Wallinger, on July 19, 20, and 21, at the Firehouse Community Theater. Tickets can be purchased by phone at 863-675-3066 or online at www.firehousecommunitytheater.com.