“We feel it’s important to present productions that all ages can enjoy,” says Marsha Stueckle, the Rep’s Children’s Theatre Director. “It’s a wonderful way to bring families together and to get young children interested in theater and maybe even get excited enough to want to explore the performing arts themselves.”

The company is currently busy preparing for its April 20 opening of “Prince Ugly,” a fractured fairy tale by playwright Matt Buchanan.

Stueckle, who has directed many local shows, including “Music Man,” “Wizard of Oz,” “Musical Comedy Murders of 1940,” “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” “Treasure Island,” and “Private Lives,” is directing “Prince Ugly,” much to her joy. She says, “I read the play three years ago and was immediately smitten with it and have wanted the Rep to do it ever since.”

Stueckle explains that the show is really a classic tale revisited. In the story, King Bruce and Queen Daisy give birth to their first child, a son, and to mark the happy event, they hold a grand celebration. Somehow, the Queen’s long-time friend, Lady Rebecca of Steppington, doesn’t receive her invitation, and as a result, she expresses her anger by placing a nasty spell on the baby.

The young prince will be horribly ugly for the rest of his life unless he can make a true friend. Chaos follows as Prince Ugly tries to buy the friendship of the local kids. With the help of Megan, The Maid of All Work, he eventually realizes what it takes to be a true friend and, as in most fairytales, all turns out well in the end.

“The characters are really lovable, from the bumbling King and his flighty Queen, to the comically angry Maurice, the Cook, and even the evil Lady Rebecca of Steppington,” comments Stueckle. “Anytime we can tell a story of friendship, no matter how elementary, it’s a good thing – even better if it’s fun. I like to distract the audience with a great show and slip in a moral to the story when they aren’t looking.”

Seattle area professional actors, including a number of local kids, comprise the cast of 31 and according to Stueckle, the performers have wonderful comedic timing, great voices and amazing stage energy.

In describing her directing style, Stueckle admits that she’s “hands-on,” but likes to direct as though she were a cast member. She also values actor input and views the whole process as a team effort, emphasizing that her role is similar to that of a coach.

“I am really having so much fun directing this show,” adds Stueckle. “It is a pleasure to work with such talented actors that can make these characters come alive.”

Woodinville Rep is also in the midst of developing a new children’s theater group, STAGE COACH, which will basically be a theater on wheels.

“Education dollars are tight and we want to provide a viable solution to bringing arts the kids without breaking the classroom budget,” explains Stueckle. “We’re focusing right now on our WASL comedy, which deals with concerns that kids may have about the WASL test — stress, anxiety, preparation for the test, etc. Comedy is a great way to talk about something important that needs to be addressed. We get the attention of the kids and then bring up the issues.”

“Prince Ugly” will be performed at the Northshore Performing Arts Center on the Bothell High School Campus, April 20, 21, 22 and 23 at 7:30 p.m., with matinees at 3 p.m. on the 22nd and 23rd.

Tickets run $12 for adults and $6 for youth 18 and younger. Tickets will be available 30 minutes before show time. There will be no pre-sales.