There’s gangsters, flappers and a lot of silly string in Hawai‘i Children’s Theatre’s production of “Bugsy Malone Junior.” The pint-sized musical opens 7 p.m. Friday at Kaua‘i Community College, with performances at 7 p.m. Saturday and 4 p.m. Sunday. Based
There’s gangsters, flappers and a lot of silly string in Hawai‘i Children’s Theatre’s production of “Bugsy Malone Junior.”
The pint-sized musical opens 7 p.m. Friday at Kaua‘i Community College, with performances at 7 p.m. Saturday and 4 p.m. Sunday.
Based on the 1976 musical “Bugsy Malone” (which starred unknowns Jodie Foster and Scott Baio), this youth production is a slapstick comedy set against a 1920s New York City backdrop.
“I’m amazed during rehearsals,” said Debra Blachowiak of Hawai‘i Children’s Theatre. “This particular cast is really focused.”
There’s glitz, glam, secret gangs, Vaudeville-style skits and other 1920s caricatures, which tell the story of a rivalry between two half-witted street gangs and a washed-up boxer.
It’s a tongue-in-cheek tribute to gangster flicks made popular in the 1920s and 1930s.
Forty-two young actors will have a turn on stage, and even those with the smallest roles have something special to do.
“We had done this before in 1999, and they had so much fun doing it,” Blachowiak said. “It has pie fights and fake dying. It’s a send up to the old gangster melodramas.”
To prepare for the production, children had to memorize lines, songs and choreographed dance routines.
Jennifer Downs is directing the production.
Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. Children age 4 and younger are free. For more information, call www.hawaiichilrenstheatre.com or call 246-8985 for details.
Always looking ahead, Blachowiak said that in August Hawai‘i Children’s Theatre will be holding auditions for its fall production, “Scrooge.”
