PHOTO OF THE DAY: SETTING SAIL
When Amber Bradley and Iwona Lewter reignited the Freeman Area Children’s Choir (FACC) in the summer of 2022, their plan was to produce two yearly events: A winter concert featuring the spirit of the holiday season and a spring/summer musical theater camp that would culminate with stage production to be shared with the public.
They have executed both to perfection.
December of 2022 and 2023 both featured the FACC in concert in the North Church, last spring saw the sights and sounds of “Matilda Jr.” come to life, and this Sunday the Pioneer Hall stage will once again be the platform for another musical, “Moana Jr.”
The Disney fantasy featuring a spirited girl who sets out on an adventure on the sea will be presented Sunday, June 23 at 6:30 p.m. Tickets may be purchased at the door, which opens at 6 p.m. Refreshments will be served after the show.
“Moana Jr.” features a cast of 34 that has been meeting weekday mornings beginning Monday, June 10 for a theater camp designed to prepare the show. The camp was open to students in grades 3-11 and led by Bradley (music director) and Lewter (artistic director). The production team for the 60-minute show also includes Rebecca Hofer, who is serving as the technical director; Katie Janssen, choreographer; and Solomon Ortman, stage manager.
The story starts on an island in the Pacific Ocean, Motunui, and features a girl in Moana (Abigail Bradley) who is advised by her parents, Chief Tua and Sina (Christian Ortman and Harli Ross), not to venture beyond the reef, as danger lurks. Rather, they tell her, she is to embrace her future role as chief of the village. But adventure follows.
First, an effort by Moana and two of her friends, Pua and Hei Hei (Hannah Bradley and Ella Lewter) to fish beyond the reef for food for the island, goes awry.
Then, after Gramma Tala (Maddie Anderson) reveals a secret of the island and the threat it poses, she encourages Moana to listen to her inner voice, and Moana sets off on a journey of redemption. Along the way she meets Maui (Jax Kaufman) and the two eventually come face to face with Te Ka (Emily Witt), a demon of earth and fire who, over a thousand years before, had stolen the island’s heart of darkness.
In the end, it all proves to be a thrilling and heartwarming coming-of-age adventure in which a young girl saves her village and discovers the truth about her heritage.
“Moana Jr.” features songs from the original Disney film writing by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Opetaia Foa’I and Mark Mancina.
