THE STORY:

Germany (The Holy Roman Empire), 1635. The Thirty Years War has ravaged the region. Consequently, a dreadful famine has struck the land. By the end of the war half of the German population will have perished from starvation.

A hardworking woodcutter, his twin children, Hansel and Gretel, and their stepmother live in a small cottage in the woods. Although times are extremely harsh, their father does not lose hope. He tries his best, to fill his children's cup with love.

However, a danger other than food scarcity, lurks within their home. Their coldhearted stepmother, sees Hansel & Gretel as unnecessary, "dead weight." She believes in order to save herself she must get rid of the children. Without, their father's knowledge, she carries out a devious and cruel scheme. She abandons the children in the deepest, darkest part of the Enchanted Forest.

Hansel and Gretel are truly lost. However, they are not alone. The Enchanted Forest is home to creatures that legends are made of. Dragons, Dryads, Gnomes, The Erlking, Melusina, Rubezahl, and the supernatural huntsman of The Wild Hunt, are all lurking in the woods. The siblings are thrown into a fast paced, magical, adventure.

Meanwhile, their father discovers the stepmother's treachery.
Betrayed and heartbroken, he urgently sets forth into the woods. He too, encounters mythical beings, such as, Loreley the water siren, a vicious werewolf, and the ghostly Weisse Frauen.

After two days and nights of madness and mayhem in the woods, the children are scared, exhausted and starving. On the third day, just when they think that all hope is lost, they stumble upon a remarkable sight. They cannot believe their eyes, when they see a house made out of gingerbread, candy, and pastries. Famished, they begin to eat.

However, this edible, paradise, is really a trap. The owner of the house is an insane, wicked, witch, with an appetite for children. The evil sorceress makes Gretel her slave and locks Hansel in a dungeon. Her sick plan is then revealed. She will sacrifice and eat Hansel on Walpurgis Night, the biggest holiday in the Witches calendar. This ritual, will take place on the hexenplatz, a witches alter at the top of the Brocken mountain.

With Hansel, imprisoned and helpless, Gretel must find the strength inside of her to save both of them. All of the action culminates on the top of the Brocken mountain. With cunning, and bravery, Gretel defeats the witch and frees her brother. The children are reunited with their father. Since they broke the witch's spell, they inherit her edible house and vast treasure of jewels and gold. The family lives happily ever after... without the evil stepmother.

Written By: Kira Madallo Sesay