 Young Madeline is destined to have a magical Christmas in
Paris, but it doesn’t look very magical at first. After a trip to the zoo,
their teacher Miss Clavel is horrified to discover that she let them go out
without wearing their scarves.
Only the smallest member of the class, the
mischievous Madeline, remembered her scarf on her own, and only Madeline
doesn’t catch a cold. Leading to the big “achoo” song. And leaving Madeline to
help nurse everyone back to health, which will lead her to buy twelve fateful
rugs from an exotic and mysterious rug seller who will make this Christmas at
the Catholic boarding school one to remember.
Evangeline Bitsko directs this cute and entertaining
production out of San Diego Junior Theatre’s stage in Chula Vista. In the title
role is the sprightly Kayla Cruise who has no problem taking charge when
everyone else gets bedridden and who has a clear sense of excitement about the
world. Trying to get Madeline to follow the rules while not dampening that excitement
is Miss Clavel, played with patience, tenderness, and heart by Devon
Hollingsworth. And then there’s Cashae Overton as Harsha, the vendor
or rugs and magic, who injects humor and wonder into the show with her hysterical timing and expressions
as well as her tremendous stage presence.
Alex Dunbar plays the charming old groundskeeper who, on opening night,
sneezed his moustache off. “I hate it when that happens,” he adlibbed as
Miss Clavel calmly picked it up and handed it to him as if he’d just dropped
his hat. The ensemble of classmates include Cody Quigg
as second-in-command Regine and Ruby Ross as ice cream-loving Camille.
They all take off in a memorable and enchanting flying carpet ride through the
clouds above Paris, their wise Miss Clavel teaching them to never be afraid of
trying new things.
Performs through December 23, 2006.
Rob Hopper
National Youth Theatre
~ Cast ~
 Madeline: Kayla
Cruise
Miss Clavel: Devon Hollingsworth
Harsha: Cashae Overton
Mr. Murphy, Monsieur Brun: Alex Dunbar
Isabelle: Brittney Aceron
Juliette: Stephanie Aceron
Kate: Natalie Boyd
Amy: Alexis Iannone
Anne: Lili Johnson
Simone: Katrina Limson
Regine: Cody Quigg
Mary: Andrea Quintanar
Daphne: Kayla Rink
Camille: Ruby Ross
Dominique: Jordan Vickers
Direcotr: Evangeline Bitsko
Music Director/Piano: Desha Crownover
Set Design: Tony Cucuzzella and Cynthia Bloodgood
Costume Design: Lisa Forrest
Make-up Design: Yesenia Del Valle
Stage Manager: Michael Barahura
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