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Madeline's Rescue by San Diego Junior Theatre  Based on Ludwig Bemelmans’s award-winning children’s book, Madeline’s
Rescue tells the story of young, perpetually-late, mischievous Madeline and
her Parisian adventures in a Catholic boarding school. In this case, her
adventures start when she falls into a canal and is saved by a stray dog named
Genevieve. Miss Clavel, the kindly and understanding nun who runs the school,
lets Madeline and her eleven classmates keep Genevieve against the rules of the
school due to the extraordinary circumstances. But when dastardly Lord Cucuface
and the other members of the school board see the mutt, they demand it be cast
out or they will shut the school down!
San Diego Junior Theatre is currently putting on the West Coast premiere of this classic book’s new musical adaptation by Constance Congdon and Mel Marvin. Fans of Madeline will probably enjoy the show that, under the direction of Michael Schwartz, successfully recreates the book on the stage, everything from the story to the delightfully portrayed elements of French culture. The songs are fairly simplistic, highlighted by the ones that focus on Madeline’s relationship with Genevieve like the wistful Just My Dog and especially Genevieve during which the singing Madeline gets a little humorous accompaniment from Genevieve herself. The spunky Madeline is played by the charming Sophie Vener whose great stage presence, sense of humor, and adorable voice make her the perfect Madeline heroine. Her fall into the canal/orchestra pit is a riot, and she brings out both the warmth of her new friendship with Genevieve and, later, the sadness that accompanies her quest to find her lost friend. For her part, Stephanie Merrill is a hoot as the rambunctious, nurturing, canine-like, girl’s-best-friend Genevieve who bounds about the stage completely enclosed in her large, brown dog outfit. Other strong performances include the charismatic Alex Fleming as the snooty Lord Cucuface who takes sadistic delight in depriving Madeline and her friends of their beloved pet. The lovely voice of Stephanie Kreutz graces Miss Clavel’s many songs. The ensemble, consisting of many of Junior Theatre’s youngest talents, entertainingly animate the Parisian population of vendors, waiters, the upper crust, and Madeline’s excited schoolmates, shining brightest in the singing Café Opera and the big, happy Heroes ceremony near the show’s conclusion. Colorful sets and backgrounds by Scenic Designer Craig Siebels and stylish costumes by Erin Schindler (that even has the stage crew wearing French berets) complete the transformation of Madeline’s Rescue from page to stage.Performs through March 14, 2004. |