Madagascar – A Musical Adventure JR.

Thirty-two young performers feature in this adaptation of the DreamWorks animated movie Madagascar. Some become animals escaping from a zoo in New York to find “the wild”. Four are penguins setting out for Antarctica! Others begin as zookeepers or visitors at the zoo, and a little later become lemurs and cat-like carnivorous foosas on the island of Madagascar.

Whoever or whatever they are playing, these kids exude energy, enthusiasm and discipline. This is their fourth show in a weekend, and they are still smiling! The creative team – and parents – behind these young people, should be very proud. And from the applause and cheers at the end of the performance, they are!

The idea of “escape” is led by Marty the Zebra, played by Maya Watkins. Watkins makes a cute zebra, with her songs, willowy dance moves, pleading eyes and wilful determination to get to Grand Central Station. Her friend, a very gentle, kind-hearted and sparkly Hippo, played by Kirra Shelton, is worried about her going on her own.

She convinces Alex the Lion – played with suitable King of the Zoo roars, and even a bit of tap by Beau Krebs – to follow her. Eventually they talk Melman the hypochondriac Giraffe, played with suitable self-obsessed anxiety by Hunter Phippen, to join them. Together they make it to the station – but are captured, put in cah0pges and shipped across the ocean.

The penguins – Private (Teegan Reece), Kowalski (Olive Popley) and Rico (Henry Cassim) led by their stern, deep-voiced Skipper (Eliana Johnsen) take over the ship, land the four friends in Madagascar – and continue south finding the Antarctic much colder than they imagined!

In Madagascar the escapees meet the hungry foosas, and a troop of frightened furry lemurs led by King Julian, played by a wild, singing and dancing Kaylie Camilleri who really gets everyone to “move it, move it”.

These nine impressive young performers are supported by an ensemble of nineteen singers and dancers led by featured dancers Tabitha Broughton, Cleo Franco-Lang, Matthew Thrift and Talia-Jayne Lawler. This busy ensemble works very hard, coping with several costumes changes as well as all the songs and tricky dance routines.

In one scene some of them are hidden behind train carriages, which they manipulate as part of a clever routine. In another scene some hold the “crates’ in which the animal friends have been imprisoned. Whether singing, dancing, or manipulating props, they are an important part of every moment.

This is a very colourful production. An ocean backdrop, hanging vines and an array of greenery and flowers set the scene. The costumes, simple and bright, suggest the characters without being cumbersome and elaborate.

The clarity of the characters and their quirky animal characteristics are the work of director Jake Elston, their singing and harmonising the work of musical director Naomi Degabriele. Melanie Kerr choreographed all of the individual and group dance routines.

The continuity of each performance is firmly overseen by stage manager Sara Drebber, and a team of parent chaperones ensure quick changes, correct costumes and correct behaviour backstage. Mayhem can result without such careful organisation, clear instruction and strict , controlled management.               

Fantasia Showstoppers has been making these performance opportunities – and acting and musical theatre classes – available to young people for five years. Kids from 8 to 18 have appeared in a series of ‘Junior’ and ‘Kids’ Disney productions. Some of them have moved on to help with direction, choreography, sound, lighting and stage management. With a village of friends and parents working behind the scene … managing finances, designing and building sets, finding and making costumes, fund raising, bumping in, bumping out, chaperoning backstage … these performances are really a community arts event.

Congratulations to out-going President David Catterall and all those who have made Fantasia Showstoppers such a great theatrical learning experience for young people in the Hawkesbury area.

Carol Wimmer