Theater review: Miss Nelson is Missing! at Rosewood Center for the Arts in Dallas

by Mary L. Clark of John Garcia's The Column

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The minute this performance of Miss Nelson is Missing! started, I completely forgot these children were adults.

It's 8 a.m. and the classroom is in chaos. No one is sitting quietly, hands folded. No homework is sitting on their desks waiting to be picked up and graded, no one is minding any of the rules. The kids are running around, dancing and throwing stuff -- all heck has broken out. Is this every teacher's nightmare come alive? Is this a typical classroom at the school where I occasionally substitute? No, it's the opening scene from Dallas Children's Theater's new production of Miss Nelson is Missing! (playing at Rosewood Center for Family Arts through October 24).

This lively, fast-paced play with music is based on the first of three children's books that always seems to be checked out from the school library where I teach. Written back in 1977, it follows the antics of some unruly kids in Room 207 and all the torture they put their good-natured teacher through. It's funny (or maybe not if you're the unlucky teacher) how 30 years has not changed the behavior of kids in school all that much.

When their teacher goes missing, they find their unruly ways curtailed by a real witch of a substitute. The classroom kids become detectives in order to find and bring back their Miss Nelson who now seems not so bad after all. Great music, fun dances, and upbeat performances kept the children and the adults attentive and thrilled.

The opening scene and the way the children spoke to their sweet teacher was unnerving with their "I hate you" and "whatever." I had to keep remembering this was a play for children who may actually have this going on in their own classroom (or wish they did!) There were some good lessons to be learned. But it still made my teeth grate.

Taking his cue from the book's cartoon illustrations, Randel Wright designed the classroom as if drawn by hand. The walls were black pen outlines as were the flapping window shades and ceiling fan. Our Texas flag was there along with the state's outline and star, just like in the book. Desks were lined up on the diagonal for better playing area with Miss Nelson's desk and chalkboard upstage center. I loved the reaction from the audience whenever a shadow appeared in the door's glass partition -- Ohhhh! Two side stage areas held Detective McSmogg's office and the front gate of Miss Nelson's home. Again, Wright used cartoon designs for each in keeping with the book.

The costume designs by Lyle Huchton were colorful and defined each child's personality to a tee. You could easily recognize the goody-goody one, the class nerd, the drama queen and the class clown. A fun dance number titled "Swamp Stomp" was arranged by DCT composer B. Wolf with a nod to Michael Jackson's hit single, "Bad." Thanks to sound designer Marco Salinas, there were several musical interludes the adults in the audience were more likely to recognize that the children, such as the theme from Peter Gunn and Jeopardy and "School's Out for Summer."

There were also references to Oz ("oil can"), a William Shatner impression, and a Miss Marple lunch box. I always like it when productions put items only we older people will get -- Sesame Street does that frequently. Karl Schaeffer and Randel Wright designed three great video sequences using film and graphics to illustrate the classroom children's imaginations on just how Miss Nelson might have disappeared. They were such great pieces of whimsy and exactly what a first grade child might have dreamed up.

I have gone to many plays and musicals where young people are performed by adults and sometimes they just aren't believable. The minute this performance of Miss Nelson is Missing! started, I completely forgot these children were adults. There was no mimicry of being children or babyish talk to represent kids. The actors were misbehaving elementary school children through and through and all were delightfully rambunctious and zany. This perfectly matched acting and singing ensemble was directed and choreographed by Nancy Schaeffer. The group performed collaboratively with well-rehearsed precision.

As written, some characters stood out more - like model/star wannabe Kimberly as performed by Shelbie Mac or the "thank you very much" Elvis played by Frank Del Corral, cape and all. Scott Zenreich was endearing as class geek and keeper of Miss Nelson's secret, Raymond. In my classrooms, there is inevitably someone raising their hand, saying they are "sick" and has to go to the bathroom or the nurse or somewhere. Phoebe was that someone in this classroom and Cara Miles played her with annoying perfection. Chad Patrick Smith comically played both goofy Principal Humleker and brainless Detective McSmogg with wonderful physical dexterity.

And then there's Miss Nelson herself as played by Emily Gray, who somehow looked a bit like the substitute teacher. Both the sweet, naïve Miss Nelson and meanie Miss Swamp were a treat and it was delightful watching and hearing the children in the audience try to figure out her secret.

Though I had no problem becoming a kid again watching this play, I did look around to see how the "other" kids liked this production. Technology and our quickened world have made children jaded and biased before their time so I was curious to know their critique of this children's play. A friend of mine Julia Aves (age 12) had seen the show the night before. So I asked for her personal opinion on the show.

She said, "When I went to go see Miss Nelson is Missing! I thought it would be a child's play. I was wrong. It was very good (and) it also had a point to it. The point I got was that you should not disrespect your teachers and should listen and behave in class. I was amazed by what they did to the actress who played Miss Nelson in such a short time. In between scenes they made her look like Mrs. Swamp!"

Ms. Aves also said that, "The sets by were wonderful. I felt like I was back in school again (because I had to go to 7th grade that day). The costumes were awesome, as they always are. I love the DCT. Always have and always will."

Well, out of the mouth of a young theater goer, what more needs to be said here? DCT has in its amazing 26 years enthralled and engaged kids and adults alike with award-winning productions here in the Dallas area and across the country with year-round tours. The community has taken DCT to their hearts, as witnessed by the numerous local and national season sponsors. Giving back to the community, DCT and their Baker Idea Institute also present productions and sponsor forums and events like next year's Teen Scene Festival to illuminate the challenges young people face today.

This production is a wonderful afternoon or evening to spend with these kids that slip in a lesson or two within all the fun. At around 90 minutes with an added intermission, it is best suited for those ages 5 and up. I made the age range and had a blast being that young again. And, while the child next to me loudly exclaimed Miss Nelson's secret, I'll never tell!

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