Childs has taken classic fairy tales and given them a funky, hip spin. The stories and characters she has created include K-Pig (based on the Italian fairy tale "The Pig Prince"), Tammi-Lynn (based on the Scottish fable Tam Lin) and Mistah Skin (a re-imagination of "Rumpelstiltskin").

Featuring book, music and lyrics by Kirsten Childs, Funked Up Fairy Tales is directed by Kevin Del Aguila and features Alysha Umphress, Christy McIntosh, Rashidra Scott, Edwina Findley, Heath Calvert and Demond Green.

The creative team comprises scenic designer Brian Prather, costume designer Matthew Hemesath, lighting designer Jeff Davis and sound designer Daniel A. Little. Darren R. Cohen serves as musical director.

Childs is known for her break-out musical hit The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin, which premiered at Playwrights Horizons and was recently released on disc starring Tony winner LaChanze. Her musical Miracle Brothers, which debuted at the Vineyard Theatre, won the Meet the Composer and Kitty Carlisle Hart Musical Theatre Awards. As a performer, Childs has been a part of the Broadway productions Chicago with Chita Rivera, Dancin', Jerry's Girls and Sweet Charity. She is a graduate of NYU's Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program.

Funked Up Fairy Tales began performances July 31 and is presented as part of the Barrington Stage Company's Musical Theatre Lab. For tickets call (413) 236-8888 or visit www.barringtonstageco.org. The production currently plays Barrington's Stage II space, The Berkshire Athenaeum, 1 Wendell Avenue in Pittsfield, MA.