|
THE
SHOW: In the utopian village of Pixa the people lived in
happiness and freedom, protected by their nurturing gods, playing with their
spirit guides. But the peace is shattered when Valkir descends upon them,
freezing the gods, disdainful of anything unique or different, and determined to
control and subjugate the villagers. But the spirit guides select a champion
from the village – the young boy named “You” who must find the courage to
stand up to Valkir, carrying inside him the spirit of all of them. Nathalie Yves Gaulthier’s magical, original show about bravery,
acceptance, and love is told in a Cirque du Soleil style. THE PRODUCTION: Nathalie Yves Gaulthier brought her new work to the stage
with the Morgan-Wixson Theatre’s Y.E.S. program where some adults join the
mostly youth performers. In this case, the cast is composed primarily of
Nathalie’s Le PeTiT CiRqUe program that trains young performers in the cirque
arts. Most of the youth are age 14 or younger. And they are spellbinding. Ten-year-old Diego
Pasillas stars as our hero “You,” always with great dancing and presence
whether being playful with his friends, fearful of the dangers, or a mixture of
compassion and bravery as he finds the courage to stand up to his village’s
bully – the adult Cheetah Platt as
a dynamic, athletic, and intimidating Valkir. World champion martial artist and
anti-bullying campaigner Kaelyn Whaley
is Amay, You’s close friend, who at age eleven is a force of nature as a
warrior and as a performer as she battles for her village. Celeste Copeland and Jazmin
Chang are the graceful, gentle, playful spirit guides who are also marvels
in the aerial arts. Asia
Aragon, Rachel Albrecht, and Maggie
Tompkins are three remarkable young singers who work together to cast a
spell with their vocals. The songs feature a nice selection including the search
for the Hero (by David Tobacman),
What if You and I (tried to change the
world) by Sly Furino, and especially Sticks
and Stones by teenage singer/composer Molly
Chapman. Asia also does the voiceover for You with strong narrating skills. The cast is filled with amazing talents including those
working up in the air with trapezes, hoops, silks, etc., a tight rope, balancing
on balls and stilts and various other special skills, gymnastics, and dancing.
Not to mention the wow factor involved with fourteen-year-old Jordan
McKnight as contortionist extraordinaire, her movements adding much to the
wonder and spectacle of the fantasy. This production includes a wheelchair-bound
performer who, during You’s coronation as their hero, is raised out of her
chair by silk performers and the gods, and by You acting to help raise her up
into the sky from below. Nathalie has an eye for painting such mesmerizing moments.
Combined with exquisite costumes (Bella
Circo Productions and Terril Teran
for the villagers, the gods and goddesses by CHER’s Believe Tour), makeup by Wendy
Turner, Monna Mainwaring, and Koji
Endo, an inspiring story, and unbelievable talents, this is a show that will
both teach and enchant. Performed October 5 - 20, 2013 Rob Hopper ~ Cast ~ Add Artist Page “You”: Diego Pasillas Valkir: Cheetah Platt Aimay: Kaelyn Whaley Gifted Healer: Breanna Pflaumer Spirit Guides: Celeste Copeland & Jazmin Chang Le PeTiT CiRqUe “Pixa Villagers”: Georgia Bryan Talya Cooper Cassie Cutler Lila Dreyfuss Lea Eidelman Sarah Frieman Sidonie Horn Cami Katz Ashley Kernan Chiara Lagumina Robbie Levis-Fitzgerald Jordan Mcknight Izzy Patrowicz Cleo Schoeplein Lexi Turner Aspen Smith Eliana Witham David Zarnegin Cirquessence “Gods/Goddesses”: Penny Clapcott Koji Endo Lauren Hartman Taylor Krasne Aisha Mainwaring Soli Rachwal (Sunday Shows Only) Rachael Servello Sophie Wingerd Singers: Asia Aragone Rachel Albrecht Maggie Tompkins Producer/Director/Writer: Nathalie Yves Gaulthier Additional Writing/Directing (Voice-overs): Megan Gabel Artistic Director: Joshua Ryan Zehner Associate Producer: Wendy Turner Technical Artistry Director: Debra Lynne Brown Le PeTiT CiRqUe Head Coaches: Shana Lord & Nathalie Yves Gaulthier Select Acts Choreography: Doriana Sanchez (“Hero” piece), Nathalie Yves Gaulthier, Shana Lord, Rachael Servello, Jason Berrent, Christine Van Loo, Bianca Sapetto, & Michelle Sargent Stage Manager: Koji Endo Assistant Stage Manager: Talia Mainwaring Technical Director/Lighting Design: Jeffery Porter Set Design/Props: Koji Endo & Wendy Turner Makeup Design: Wendy Turner, Monna Mainwaring, & Koji Endo
|
Home
|
Awards |
Reviews
| News
| Actors
| Headshots
| Theatres
|
Calendars
| Newsletters
| Membership
Auditions |
Workshops
| Drama Instruction
| Playwrights/Scripts
| Vendors |
Links | Advertising
| About Us