Sunday, February 22, 2009

Theater Review: Miss Nelson Is Missing!

By Mark-Brian Sonna of MBS Productions

Casa Mañana Children's Playhouse's production of Miss Nelson is Missing! is chock full of talent. This impeccably staged production thanks to director Valerie Galloway-Chapa and choreographer Laura West Strawser showcases the talents of six dynamic and uber-talented actors. There is no doubt that talent overflows in all areas of this production. The sets are perfectly suited for this children's show and the costuming is pitch perfect. I only wish the material presented matched the level or artistry on the stage. This musical is quite a clunker. Why it received the 2003 National Children's Theatre Festival Award in Coral Gables Florida is beyond me.

The main problem is that there isn't enough of a story to fill the 90 minutes running time of the show. The source material comes from a very short book. The effect is that the show seemed interminably long even though it is quite brief. As I was driving home I was talking to a friend over the phone and was able to describe the entire plot line – there are no secondary storylines - in less then five minutes. A group of four students are holy terrors in the classroom and the teacher Miss Nelson can't keep them under control; one day she doesn't show up to class and the substitute teacher, a witch-y looking woman named Viola Swamp – who coincidentally happens to be of the same physical height and shape as Miss Nelson - is mean and makes the kids behave. Days go by and they learn how much they miss Miss Nelson. They go to Miss Nelson's house to ask her to come back. You can probably guess the rest of the story. It is that obvious. In the mean time, 10 unmemorable tunes are sung. There's a narrator explaining this obvious plot to us in the audience who doubles up as the school principal and an ineffective detective.

Andy Baldwin, Natalie Weaver, Michael Isaac and Amanda Passante, play the role of the four miscreants. Adults playing kids can be quite annoying. Not so in this case. This foursome captures the essence of children and each has hysterical moments of physical comedy. I must commend these talented performers for amazing singing and their ability to execute flawless four part harmonies – if only the songs were better!

Shannon McGrann as Miss Nelson/Viola Swamp played her Dr. Jekyll/ Ms. Hyde role with much relish. As Viola Swamp she did scare kids out of the theatre – which is a sign of playing the role convincingly and effectively. Greg Dulcie plays Pops the narrator, Mr. Blansford the school principal and Detective McSmogg. He is a very talented man, too bad his characters, as written, seemed so superfluous to the proceedings.

The most important thing in evaluating children's theatre is to gauge if the kids liked it. After a children's show there is frequently an unparalleled energy of explosion when the production inspires. From what I could tell there was a mixed reaction in the audience. The littlest tykes, the ones that were under 6 seemed to enjoy the performance, though I must note that in certain parts I noticed some fidgety boredom. Older kids did not enjoy it as much; there were no beaming faces from this group. As for the parents, they acted as if it was a chore to attend.

Children's shows are meant to entertain, educate and/or to inspire. The talent was there to do all three, unfortunately the material fell short of accomplishing it.

Miss Nelson Is Missing! runs through March 8. Purchase tickets online or by calling 817-332-2272.

Pegasus News content partner - MBS Productions

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• Arts > Fine Arts > Theater > Musicals
• Kids / Family > Children's Performance