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01/21/2020 11:00 PMThis year’s Deep River Parks & Recreation annual musical production, The Most Epic Birthday Party Ever, was specifically written to be performed by middle-school-aged students, which is one of the reasons that director Leslie Strauss chose the musical—that, and the fact that it calls for a large cast of 24. (Deep River’s cast is actually 25.)
According to Beat by Beat Press, the musical’s author, the plot of the musical orbits around Skyler, who is about to turn 12, and she’s planned the biggest celebration of the year. But, in the middle of the party, something mysterious happens and all the adults suddenly disappear. Trapped in the backyard, the kids realize they must create a brand new society. However, when they elect Skyler’s older brother, Charlie, as their ruler, things really begin to spin out of control. Eventually the kids learn a big lesson in responsibility, while Skyler and Charlie develop a greater respect for one another.
“It has a good moral and it’s a fun show,” said Deep River Elementary School 6th grader Hallie Moore, who plays Lucky in the show.
Parks & Recreation Commission member Miriam Morrissey, who has worked on the annual show for the past seven years, is happy to be producing the show once again, wrangling the actors, making costumes, and getting the production underway. She has been working side by side with Strauss over the past few months of rehearsal helping out in any way she can, which sometimes includes doing math homework on the floor with students as they wait to run their scenes.
Veteran actor 6th grader Nyla Maignan said she loves to sing, which is why she is doing the musical again. Maignan also performed last year in the production of Tut Tut, but she’s not the only repeat actor audiences will recognize from previous performances: Doris the camel will be given a curtain call as well, just for fun, because that’s what it’s all about.
“This musical is especially fun and entertaining, it has a lot of funny scenes and dancing and singing,” said Maignan.
The show, which includes costumes made out of pizza boxes, girls comically trapped in bathrooms spontaneously breaking into Justin Bieber songs, a water balloon fight, and a character named Wolf consuming worms (of the gummy kind), promises to provide good, clean, family entertainment for all.
“This show has a great sound track and a good vocal range for kids this age,” said Strauss. “These kids have all worked very hard and I am very proud of them. I hope everyone comes out to support them.”
The show will premiere on Saturday, Feb 1 at 7 p.m. in the Deep River Town Hall Auditorium, 174 Main Street, with an encore performance on Sunday, Feb. 2 at 11:30 a.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students, and can be purchased at Celebrations, the Deep River Town Hall, and at the door. All proceeds go to the Deep River Parks & Recreation Department.