BRATTLEBORO — New England Youth Theatre’s Junior Company will perform “Jack and the Devil’s Three Golden Hairs,” a story involving a conniving king who attempts to thwart his daughter’s prophesied marriage.
Written by NEYT founder Stephen Stearns and beloved Brattleboro folk music icon Peter Amidon, the musical melodrama is described as “a mishmash of Brothers Grimm and classic vaudevillian stage antics.”
Amidon died in October 2025. His grandchild Desmond Bode, 10, of Brattleboro, is the narrator in the play.
“I’m very honored to be able to celebrate Peter’s legacy of joyful music and playmaking at NEYT, and I invite you to do the same by coming to see this incredibly lively and funny piece,” NEYT Artistic Director Ben Stockman said in the announcement. “He brought a uniquely gentle and creative presence to the theater at a very formative time. We miss him greatly.”
Showtimes are 7 p.m. Feb. 20 and 21, and 2 p.m. Feb. 21 and 22. Tickets are available from $15 to $20 on neyt.org/jack-and-the-devil.
With a brand new staging by director Dory Hamm and music direction by Keira Carmichael-Bowers, the original work is described as “a prime example of the late Mr. Amidon’s catalogue of new musicals for NEYT in collaboration with Stearns.”
Audiences can expect “funny moments” in the play, said Desmond, who has performed at NEYT before.
“I think that the community is nice and the plays are always so much fun,” Desmond said.
Elodie Hughes, 10, of Brattleboro, plays the miller’s wife, the donkey and the mayor. Each role allows for some fun or humor.
Elodie said the king sends Jack to find the three golden hairs from the devil and encounters “all these problems.”
Vega Valentine, 12, of Guilford, is the devil’s mom, a villager and the priest.
“It’s really funny and there’s a lot of jokes,” Vega said. “Not all of them are actually funny.”
As the devil’s mom, Vega says, “Hit the road, Jack.”
“And that’s apparently funny because it’s the name of a song from the 1900s,” Vega said.
Maebel Urban, 10, of Guilford, and another child play guards together in the play. They also act as peasants who are husband and wife. They said the roles bring laughs.
Maebel recommends NEYT to any youth interested in theater.
“There’s a lot of nice people here,” Maebel said. “Dory is also a fantastic teacher. He’s so nice to all of us, and he gives positive input on how we need to change our acting.”
The show will feature costume design by Rosa Palmeri, set design by David Regan, lights and sound by Francesca Bourgault, and will be run by a tech, stage management, and costume crew of NEYT students.
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