Reviewed by Tony Annicone
Welcome to the 1920’s with the current musical at Footlights at the Grange. Director/choreographer Brian Barry Pereira transports the audience to the prison atmosphere needed for this terrific blockbuster musical “Chicago.” Kander and Ebb’s 1975 vaudeville type show is based on the 1926 play by Maurine Watkins. The 1997 musical version won six Tony Awards and the 2003 movie version won the Academy Award.
Reviewed by Tony Annicone
Footlights Junior Division’s current show is “The Jungle Book”Kids, adapted by from the Disney animated film and the works of Rudyard Kipling. The theatre is turned into an incredible jungle setting with terrific animal costumes by Johnny Cagno. Banished by the ferocious tiger, Shere Khan, a human boy called a man cub, Mowgli and his panther friend, Bagheera, are on the run in the deepest parts of the jungle. On their journey, the two meet a sinister snake named Kaa, a herd of elephants and a giant bear, Baloo, who teaches them the swingin’ musical rhythms of the jungle. After surviving a dangerous encounter with a band of monkeys led by King Louie, Mowgli and Bagheera are forced to run for their lives. When Shere Khan returns, our heroes must rally their fellow animals into battle and restore peace throughout the jungle. The animals of the jungle unite to ward off his evil presence and realize the strongest person of all is the wisest. These 38 young performers not only entertain but educate their audiences as they explain how everyone must learn to live side by side. This was not only true when the original book was written back in 1900 but also rings true today in the war torn world we live in. These children display this strong message with their singing, acting and dancing. Directors Neil Jeronimo and Tricia Rodrigues cast some talented young performers while music director Kasey Jeronimo taught them all the melodic numbers to entertain their appreciative audiences all night long.
Read more “THE JUNGLE BOOK – Footlights Junior Division, Swansea, MA”
