Reviewer: Kristine Gotham
Venue: Bay City Players
Do you know the function of a conjunction? How about how a bill becomes a law? Do you know the order of the planets? The kids from Bay City Players can help you with the answers to all of these questions and more. Bay City Players presents School House Rock Live Jr for a final performance this weekend.
The story begins with, Tom, played by Jonathan Whittaker. Tom is a new school teacher who is preparing for his first day. He wonders how he will teach anything to his new students. Sitting behind Tom on stage are his thoughts personified, played by Nicholas Breen, Sofia Glasser, Lexi Markham, Isaac Hendrick, Hailey Halsinger, and Lincoln Hayward. Through song and dance, Tom’s thoughts along with the ensemble, help him to remember everything that he wants to teach his students and boost his confidence too.
This high energy show with a cast costumed in bright colored t-shirts and a minimal set provides a nostalgic look back at songs we learned as kids in the ‘70s. We learn that a noun is a “Person, Place or Thing”. Audience members are invited to “Unpack their Adjectives”, to learn how they function with our language. In a nod to the current political state, we follow a bill to a law in, “Just a Bill” and relearn “The Preamble”, and we find that we are all members of the “Great American Melting Pot”.
Jump on the train and learn all about how or, and, and but function at the “Conjunction Junction”. “Interplanet Janet”, played by Julie Jose, flies around the stage on her scooter and explores the solar system one planet at a time. The play ends with audience members shouting out their “Interjections!”
This play is lighthearted and fun while reminding audience members of things they learned in grade school. The kids are energetic and fully committed to bringing these songs to life. The show goes on this weekend only, Saturday, November 9 and Sunday, November 10 at Bay City Players. Show time is 3pm and tickets can be purchased at the Box Office.