The Viking Theater Company’s first production of the year is here, and it is a farcical, musical, little known classic.

The VTC is presenting Paul Sill’s Story Theater for its fall production. Paul Sill was the founder of the famed Second City Improv Theater.

Directed by Don Bliss, the performance will showcase the comedic abilities of the young actors in the VTC.

“He [Sill] developed this show along improv. Essentially the troupe developed the dialogue and Sill wrote it down,” said Bliss.

Although the performance is scripted, there will be some improvisation by the students. “Hopefully there’s more improv than we’ve had,” said Bliss. Improvisation is still new to a lot of students.

The play is an ensemble piece, with each actor taking on about three to four different roles.  Bliss said that it’s, “essentially children’s farce.”

“There are some macabre scenes that are acted out in a fun, silly way.”

The play takes some of the collected tales of the Brothers Grimm including Henny Penny, and the Bremen Town Musicians, and weaves music in between scenes. There are also a couple of stories from Aesop’s Fables.

The original production used the music of Bob Dylan and George Harrison, among others, but the VTC version has switched that up a bit.

According to Bliss, the musical interludes will include, “everything from Martha and the Vandellas to Lady Gaga.”

“In keeping with the original Broadway production there will be musical interludes,” during which rollerblading fairies will turn the pages of a giant coloring book that serves as the main set piece.

While Bliss is directing the play, sophomore Kim Barboza is helping to make sure things run smoothly in her role as stage manager. Barboza acted in every VTC production her freshman year.

“A lot of the kids are new. Generally when we start the season we have about 50% freshmen,” said Barboza. Part of her job is ensuring that peace reigns in the VTC. “We really are a family, and we want everyone to get along.”

Story Theater opens Thursday November 29, and will run on November 30 and December 1 at 7 p.m. as well. General admission is $8, students and seniors $6, and children under six years old will be admitted free of charge.