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This summer, Teenage Musicals Inc. is presenting not one, not two, but three plays performed by teenagers and young adults.
The three plays in the summer outdoor theater festival encompass the overall theme of “Diversity = Strength,” taking a lens to different cultures, personalities and religions. Accordingly, directors tried to recruit young actors ages 13-23 from all over the region and from different backgrounds.
“Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical” is directed by Tracey Kempsell and was inspired by the true-life story of Ruby Bridges and the Little Rock Nine, who helped desegregate schools in the South. The one-act play tells the tale of a Polkadot girl attending a “Squares only” school. Over time, the characters realize that it’s what on the inside that matters.
“It’s just a delightful show. With our talk about Black Lives Matter and diversity, we just thought it was a good fit,” Kempsell said.
Kempsell recalled how the young actors have furthered the discussion on diversity past the confines of rehearsals. During a weekly campfire at her home, she was surprised by how the conversation progressed to include heavy topics, including Japanese internment camps and Native American residential schools.
“This cast of kids – the eldest is 20, the youngest is 13 – talked about everything from Disney movies and anime to the Armenian genocide and racism and how that happened and we can’t let those things happen again. I was no part of the conversation,” Kempsell said. “They’re a really special group of kids.”
The second play in the lineup is “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” co-directed by Jeanne Gilbert and Judy Harper. The play centers around six students who are vying for the coveted spelling contest trophy. Along the way, each will share hilarious and touching stories about their personal lives. Gilbert explained that the diversity element in Putnam County is how the play explores the characters’ eccentricities and the ways in they face their own challenges as they navigate their way to adulthood.
“It is a bright, vivacious piece that brings back all the memories and insecurities that consumed and plagued all of our childhoods,” Gilbert said.
The third production, “Nathan the Wise,” is co-directed by Larry and Cheryl Levy and will perform next week. The story centers around a Templar knight, the titular Jew, and Saladin, a Muslim, who meet during the Crusades, and their deep discussions about religion.
Although the play was written in the 18th century, many of its themes of religious tolerance, respect and friendship still ring true today.
“We jumped at the chance…to bring this moving play to the Midland area, and to challenge and reward the talented and committed group that makes up our cast of nine actors,” Larry said. “All of us have grown wiser and richer by our work on producing ‘Nathan the Wise.’ All who attend a performance of ‘Nathan the Wise’ will be rewarded for having done so.”
Nathan the Wise is the first play performed by TMI’s the Hath Summer Players. This subsidiary, named after TMI’s founders Gerry and Betty Hath, will focus on presenting non-musical shows.
“It was a logical and necessary step for the TMI board to create the Hath Summer Players for our students who are not interested in a musical. It also creates more opportunities for our youth to get involved in theatre,” said TMI President Kelli Cohen-Jolly.
Polkadots’ cast includes Priya Ghose, Mason Greenhoe, Abby Hahn, Arianna Haskett, Ava Mata, Carmen Mata, Camdyn Sabourin, Gretchen Shope, Danny Schulz, Sereah Skutt and Kate Sulfridge.
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee’s cast includes Nicholas Alfano III, Ethan Bach, Kennedy Danner, Lillian Deering, Daniel Hall, Zach Federer, Gloria Heye, Betsy Miller, James Miller, Kendra Lodewyk, Richard Olk, Claire Patterson and Davis Veith.
Nathan the Wise’s cast includes Zach Federer, Tim Hackbarth, George Hageage, Ashley Harvey, Abigail Hnizda, Emma Massey, Kyler Syring, Arlo Turpin and Aiden Weaver.
Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical will perform at 6 p.m. August 4-7 at Creative 360, 1517 Bayliss St., Midland.
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee will perform at 8 p.m. August 4-7 at Creative 360. This play contains adult themes and language and is rated PG-13.
Both Polkadots and Spelling Bee will be staged outside; audience members must bring their own lawn chair or blanket.
Nathan the Wise will perform at 7 p.m. August 11-14 inside Creative 360. Masks are required for all audience members indoors.
Admission is free for all three shows, but donations are appreciated at the door or at teenagemusicals.org/support.
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