Macmillan and Josh dance on the big piano in the toy store.
Later, he finds himself not knowing how to find a job or live as an adult, but he wanders into a toy store and because of really being a child, he knows what childern like and the owner of the company falls in love with him as a potential employee for research and development and hires him on the spot.
All of this happens in Big: The Musical which is currently playing at McNeese's Tritico Theatre by Lake Charles Christian Youth Theatre. There were no stand out stars of this show, but every person involved in the show did a good job. There were some issues with singing and audio, but technical equipment that did not work correctly was probably the main cause of these things. I also went the first night of the show, so there may be issues that are being fixed before the second show.
The show stars Zachary Benoit (Josh Baskin), Elisabeth Pettefer (Susan Lawrence), Mattie Schafer (Mrs. Baskin), Stuart Riviere (Billy Kopecki), Dylan Freeman (Little Josh Baskin), Jared Bates (Macmillan and Zoltar), Cole Becton (Paul Seymour and Arcade Attendant), Malachi Carroll (Derek and Jr. Design Executive), CeeCee Doucet (Miss Watson and Parent #2), Randilyn LeJeune (Cynthia Benson and Jr. Executive's Child), Chloe Lankford (Kid in Toy Store), Katherine Rion (Ticket Taker and Panhandler), Cami Bodin (Cynthia's Friend #1), Tziyon Howell (Cynthia's Friend #2), Gabriella Barrios (Cynthia's Friend #3), Peyton Mangrum (Benjamin Rubinstein), Duff Nichols (Kid on the Street), Bliss Nichols (Kid on the Street, Bearded Lady and Salesperson #3), Whitney Nguyen (Jr. Executive), and Bradlei Farnum (Young Susan).
The adult ensemble consists of Abigail Pettefer Amanda Sanders, Ava Lankford, Bliss Nichols, Cecilia Barrios, Danielle Bourgeois, Katherine Rion, and Malachi Carroll. The child ensemble consists of Bradlei Farnum, Cami Bodin, Chloe Lankford, Duff Nichols, Dylan Freeman, Elliot Fuselier, Gabriela Barrios, Peyton Mangrum, Randilyn LeJeune, Reese Corkran, and Tziyon Howell.
The set was impressive, especially for a local production where the set is made by volunteers such as the children's parents and others in the community who love theatre. The most ipmressive was the toy piano, of course, which also allowed the cast to show of some of their dancing talent. The fact that there was a bunk bed that could support somebody on the top bunk was also impressive.
The lighting was nothing spectacular, but it fit the musical and that's what matters.
If you would like to catch this musical, it is in Lake Charles for three more performances. They are on the following dates and times:
- Saturday, Jan 18th @ 1:00pm
- Saturday, Jan 18th @ 7:00pm
- Sunday, Jan 19th @ 3:00pm
All performances take place at McNeese's Tritico Theatre which is located in the Shearmann Fine Arts Annex located on the corner of Ryan and Sale, across from Walgreens.
If you buy a ticket at the door, it is $20. However, if you buy a ticket online, it is $15. You can get a ticket for $10 online if you are in a group of 10 or more that buys their tickets online together, if you are a child 12 or under, if you are 65 or over, if you are in the military, or if you are a student You can buy tickets online at Lake Charles's Christian Youth Theater Webite for the musical Big and clicking on the "Purchase Tickets" button.
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