| Children’s Letters to God - VMT | | Print | |
| Written by Ronnie Pirate | |
| Saturday, 20 May 2006 | |
 Virginia Musical Theatre’s latest offering is not in their usual Virginia Beach location, but instead at the Barry Robinson Theatre and Fine Arts Center located on the grounds of the Bishop Sullivan Catholic High School. This is a very appropriate and fun place for the latest offering from their Young Artist Studio. Children’s Letters to God is a series of stories, with a few through-themes, in which a group of very talented young performers try to find the answers to the difficult questions of growing up.
Director BRIAN MARSHALL has done the most amazing work I have seen with young people in this area in a very long time. The popular “family theaters” of Hampton Roads should be worried. Still, Marshall informed me that school attendance of a special matinee was rather poor, partially due to the time of year, but more because schools were leery of a show with possible religious content. If only schools could use the arts as a forum for discussion and exploration instead of rote standard skills.
Children’s Letters to God, by Stuart Hample, David Evans, and Douglas J. Cohen, is a charming collection of songs and scenes that is entirely appropriate for every age and faith. It is a positive affirmation of faith, and a portrait of how many young folks try to use faith to find answers to the situations around them, from dying pets, to being an outsider, or dealing with arguing parents. Unlike much children’s theater, there is a strong message in the piece that is not lost behind the stock characters. The ensemble cast works seamlessly together and is energetic without being fake or cutesy. There are many genuine moments that will evoke laughter and sniffles from the audience, no matter how old. Of particular note is BETHANY WALKER as Iris and her beloved turtle Arnold. Walker commands each of her scenes and has a surprising volume for both singing and speaking. MAX CHUCKER as Kicker is a delight as the bratty younger brother, able to strut, annoy, and then get sympathy with his antics. The parts of Bret and Joanna are double cast; I saw RYAN PHILLIPS and JULANNE GENSEL. Phillips and Gensel show a maturity and sensitivity to their characters that shows good direction and thoughtful character construction. In addition, from watching GRANT GUSTIN and HILARY MOYLER (the other cast) perform smaller ensemble parts with such attentiveness dedication, I’m very tempted to watch the show again to see their takes on larger parts. Well staged on a simple playground set, Marshall moves his players through the vignettes with a good pace into interesting pictures. PIERRE-JACQUES BRAULT’s musical staging is the most neat and tidy movement I’ve seen in any musical for a long time. These kids have polish, confidence, and they know exactly what they are doing. Particular favorites include “Questions for the Rain” and “Daydreams” because they are ensemble numbers in which individuals are allowed to shine for a moment. The kids sound fantastic together, thanks to the guiding hand of Musical Director ANDREW AUSTIN, and never try to steal a moment from anyone else. This cohesiveness, along with the high expectations of the directors, has produced a solid piece of musical theater. Take your whole family, and the neighbor kids, too.
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