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It’s Paw Paw, Michigan’s most famous teenage advice talk
show host working out of her family’s garage. But Edwina Spoonapple’s family
seems to be even more famous, and Edwina is desperate to feel like she measures
up to the rest of her family. She’s hoping to do it with her next big show, and
what a show it is!
Richard May directs this one by San Diego Junior
Theatre in their La Jolla location, and he’s put together a show that moves
along nicely while still capturing the humor, all with the help of his talented
young cast. Hallie Bodenstab leads it as their title character – a
twelve-year-old actress with surprising vocals. Her Edwina is one of dogged
determination, a perfectionist who wants to get this show done right so she can
get into the coveted Advice-a-Palooza Festival. And she most definitely doesn’t
want this show to be interrupted by any embarrassing secret admirers disclosing
their secret (though Scott, played by Spencer Williams, is a nerdy,
nervous but highly determined young suitor).
During the course of the show, through many entertaining
song-and-dances, Edwina and her team give us clever advice for living in
civilized society. If we’re picky eaters at a dinner party and find ourselves
confronted with something like octopus toast, we should politely Say No
Thank You. If we go around saying, “I want, I want” all the time, the
results could be most fowl. Setting the table is demonstrated with some
impressive opera. Help with shyness is delivered thanks to a cute story about
shy Periwinkle (Hanna Samson), but no one has to be shy anywhere when we
learn how to say “hello” in every language thanks to Hola Lola and a
steel-drum band. And the adorable farmer girl Mary Sue Betty Bob Spoonapple (Shir
Gershon), Edwina’s fifteenth cousin twice removed, smartly tells us how to
save money in the timely Put It in the Piggy.
The cast includes Erica Malachowski as a ditzy
cheerleader with a temper you don’t want to cross, Brooke Collins as an
amusing ballerina friend, and Kaleolani Laymon as Edwina’s smart and
sweet little sister who gets some much needed advice from big sis Edwina,
giving Edwina a feeling that the Advice-a-Palooza Festival could never equal.
Elsewhere, Fiona Beyerle is a Girl Scout cookie-selling extraordinaire, Frank
Blythe is new neighbor Bobby who finds himself bulldozed into filling in on
the show (Edwina can be very determined). And the whole cast, almost all age
thirteen or younger, are exceptionally good, each making their own unique
characters and fully inhabiting them from beginning to end. In fact, they start
even before the beginning. The kids slowly filter into the theatre and improv
amongst themselves and with the audience, just like kids leisurely playing in
your typical Paw Paw, Michigan neighborhood.
Performed
March 20 - April 5, 2009
Rob Hopper
National Youth Theatre
~ Cast ~
Annie: Fiona Beyerle
Becky: Erica Malachowski
Bobby: Frank Blythe
Edwina: Hallie Bodenstab
Katie: Kaleolani Laymon
Kelli: Brooke Collins
Lars/Cordell: Gregory Martin
Scott: Spencer Williams
Kids of Paw Paw:
Stephanie Aceron
Kailey Berry
Kasey Bethel
Haley Rose Cox
Jenna Dern
Shir Gershon
Elisa Greenberg
Sierra Kindig
Hannah Orr
Madeline Ottilie
Sierra Ottilie-Kovelman
Casey Purlia Johnson
Hanna Samson
Miranda Vega
Samantha Wang
Alexa Wing
Director/Hair and Make-up Design: Richard May
Music Director: Patrick Marion
Production Manager/Set Design/Lighting Design: Tony Cucuzzella
Loft Manager/Costume Design/Choreographer: Walter Allen
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