Oct 5th 2006, 2:04pm By buffalorising

Theatre of Youth will open its 35th season of shows at 7 p.m. Friday night with The Witches, by David Wood, adapted from the award-winning novel by Roald Dahl.

This play, sponsored by The Paint Box Project of Roswell Park, reveals the truth about REAL WITCHES. Children beware! They look like everyday people and visit the same places you do! The Grand High Witch has a monstrous plan. Her fellow crones will take over all candy shops and make poisonous candy that transforms children into mice! Luckily, a brave young boy has overheard this terrible plot. With the help of his grandma, who knows something about witches, he will try to stop The Grand High Witch, but time is running out!

TOYs original design promises to make an unforgettable visual experience of this classic by Roald Dahl. I envisioned the predominant setting of The Witches to be a 1930s grand-dame hotel, with a heightened art deco style, large and somewhat eerie, remarks TOYs Head of Design, Ken Shaw. Metallic hues of the period play off of carnival colors Ive chosen to convey Roald Dahls sense of whimsy. The end result is carnival patterned art-deco, which is very kid-friendly and fun.

The service-oriented Verizon Telecom Pioneers are volunteering on stage as witch-extras for every performance. TOY has had a longtime partnership with The Pioneers and we are so pleased that they can assist us in this capacity, says Director Meg Quinn. The schedule is demanding but The Pioneers are committed and excited to be part of this production.

The Witches runs at 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays through October 29. A special Friday performance will be at 7 p.m. on October 27. Tickets for The Witches are $19 or $17 per person and can be purchased by calling the Theatre of Youth Box Office at 716.884.4400.