This being Momentum’s 3rd children’s production, we wanted to ensure that we dug deeper into the artistry that makes musicals magical. Willy Wonka JR, provided a great platform to focus on the work we have been doing behind the scenes to elevate the quality of both our vocal performances and the choreography in our children’s production, and I know that the audience will be wowed by it. This production was about pushing boundaries, and it started with us attempting to pull a production together in a very compressed timeline. We rehearsed 6 hours a week over the course of 10 weeks, which required much scheduling gymnastics by the parents, so to them I send a very warm and heartfelt thanks. I am also truly humbled that many of the parents returned for a second and third rodeo with us, and they have been incredibly supportive behind the scenes, filling in the gaps, to make all these productions successful.
Not to be outdone, the youth performers have risen to ever new bar of excellence set for them. Every time we do a production, there is always someone who says they can’t, as it relates to a particular performing arts discipline. There is no room for can’t, with our tough love and high expectations approach. Our greatest joy comes from seeing our young performers overcoming fears and pulling on every ounce of talent that we have been telling them they had all this time. They all are undoubtedly the stars of the show, so please show them some love throughout the performance and at its conclusion. They earned it.
To all the friends, family, supporters, community members, and stakeholders that attend these productions, know that your support helps to keep the dream alive. Your continual ticket purchases help us to produce the next show, but more importantly, it brings so much joy to the lives of our youth who feed off the energy you bring as the audience.
Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka JR celebrates the power of positive thinking, which though an understated message, is one that finds particular relevance in a sometimes jaded and negative society. The eternal optimism of Charlie Bucket, the show’s protagonist, should serve as a reminder to all of us that even if we are resource poor, we are never truly poor is we are surrounded by people who love and care for us. Dahl juxtaposes the overt unhealthiness of junk food against the implicit unhealthiness of bad character, and forces us to ask ourselves, which is more corrosive and detrimental to the human experience. Today, we boldly lay bare our character flaws and in some instances, they are even celebrated! If only for 90 mins, let’s revert to a simpler time when we encourage each other to be our best selves and strive for our highest ideals. If this production can help us do that, this director will call the production a success.
Jason Ellis, MPA, Ed.S
@ellisja876