Listen & Be Heard Weekly Archives

Remember that purple dinosaur who was all the rage in children?s television not so long ago? Adults would cringe at the sickly sweetness while kids sang ?I Love You? at the top of their lungs. [tag]Vallejo Music Theatre[/tag]?s ([tag]VMT[/tag]) [tag]Young Audiences production[/tag] of [tag]Sleeping Beauty[/tag] is a little like that, but thankfully less painful for the parents.

This adaptation of the classic fairytale comes from the Prince Street Players, a New York theatre troupe whose other musical versions of popular kid lore were featured on CBS in the mid-1960?s. Their rendition of Sleeping Beauty features agreeable if forgettable little tunes, heaping helpings of audience interaction, and an evil fairy in drag.

All of the usual characters are in attendance, but it is wicked Trollarina (Rudy Brown) who steals the show. Brown clomps around in dastardly style, chewing scenery as he goes, and the kids love it, particularly in ?It?s Lovely to Be a Troll.? Embracing the feminine side of the magical sprite (a la Dame Edna or RuPaul) would be beneficial, but after the initial chorus of tiny voices inquires aloud about the boy Trollerina, young audience members gamely get into the spirit.

Director/choreographer Pamela Lourentzos misses such subtleties and opportunities for a wink and nudge to the adults. Choreography is her strength, which she showcases at every turn. The three good fairies (Laura-Jo Davis as Phoebe, Laura Martin-Chapin as Sybil, and Julianna Serio as Minerva) have lovely singing voices that are occasionally overshadowed by Lourentzos? tendency to fill every eight counts with movement. As the title beauty Princess Melisande, Rebecca Crebbin-Coates is sweetly appealing, but even she gets winded in the number ?Dance on Little Faun.? Lourentzos stages a few cute bits, and the cast plugs away with energy if not nuance or even a chance to catch their breath.

Linda Crebbin-Coates does adequate duty as the Musical Director, though she might have advocated for her singers to stay put more often for the sake of being heard. Either to her credit or to John Crebbin-Coates?, who ably plays piano for the show, there are musical gems from Jeopardy to classic musical theatre nestled into the action for grown-up giggles.

Speaking of giggles, the Faunimals which populate the castle?s surrounding forest are a darling ensemble of children. Shirley McGowan?s costumes are generally good, but her animal garb is a stand out. The adorable raccoon (Breana Peladeau), squirrel (Jennifer Gonzales), bear (Susana Rosillo), butterfly (Brijeanae Foster) and twin bunnies (Jacqueline Molinero, Selena Pearson) bring smiles that are impossible to resist. Equally irresistible is diminutive dancing fairy Diana played by Meghan Crebbin-Coates.

VMT is truly community theatre, which makes Don Dungan?s sound design choice surprising. Christmas music both pre-show and at intermission is festive, but it takes a secular show and excludes some of Vallejo?s wonderfully diverse culture.

Sleeping Beauty features children for children, and taking yours to see the show would be a gift to them this holiday season. It beats sitting through an episode of Barney. For tickets or info, visit www.vallejomusictheatre.org or call (707) 649-2787.

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