The Huns have invaded The Waldo Theatre and it is up to misfit Mulan (Cayleigh Hearth) and her mischievous Dragon sidekick Mushu (Kayleigh Tolley) to save the Emperor.
Disney’s “Mulan Jr.” directed by Melissa Hearth, which opened at The Waldo Theatre Oct. 21, is a heartwarming celebration of culture, honor and a fighting spirit. The story is unchanged from the Disney movie.
Cayleigh Hearth’s Mulan is everything a young girl who is searching for her identity should be. The 12-year-old Hearth has a voice as big as her character. She shines as the hero of the piece.
Kayleigh Tolley (Mushu the Dragon) is comic, charming and all together delightful, with her big grin and mischievous smile. That young Tolley (and both of her sisters, for that matter) can sing down the walls at The Waldo is an unexpected bonus for the audience.
Destined to an arranged marriage, Mulan meets the Matchmaker (Lois Thomas,) in a cameo role. Nothing goes as planned and clumsy Mulan embarrasses herself and her family.
The barbarous Huns threaten the empire. The Emperor (Justin Gillman) has mandated that one man from every family be conscripted into the army. The rub is that Mulan’s father (Tristan Korpinen) is a wounded war veteran and faces certain death if he complies. Mulan disguises herself as a man, then takes his armor and weapons and is off to save the day.
Ivy Laakso as Grandmother Fa, may be small in stature, but her singing voice is the opposite. She gave the grandmother a special touch all her own.
The Ancestors (Christina McClure, Katherine McCue, Amelia Rosko, Fiona Hall, Sofie Sawyer-Johnson) each sing beautifully. Together they shine and their individual solos are all top-notch.
Mulan trains for battle with a group led by Captain Li Shang (Braeden Waddell.) The warriors from each side, (Andrew Lyndaker, Wyatt Sykes, Norbert Ferrero, Tristan Hearth, Thane Waddell and Nate Carlson) exuberant young actors all, steal the day with their antics.
No story is complete without a meddling bad guy and Chi Fu (Gabe Ferrero), the Emperor’s misogynistic advisor, fills the bill admirably.
Justice Kennedy, Katherine Tolley, Hermione Blanchard-Fleming, Emma Tolley, and Willow Crawford Cruddell ably presented townspeople, children, and Mulan’s family.
The costumed stage manager, Christopher Holmes, crosses the stage shoveling away the “snow.” Stage managers always have to clean up the wreckage, and this comic touch was a clever addition.
Director Hearth has outdone herself with bright costumes and special effects in this production. She surrounded herself with costumers, musicians and technical people who knew their craft and each element was visible or audible onstage, where it belongs.
With a dragon who breathes fire, snow, an avalanche, a bubble storm and a couple of dozen cute and talented kids, Hearth has molded all into an evening warmly received by the audience.
The Waldo Theatre’s “Mulan Jr.” is the energetic and tuneful version of a tale of a young girl in feudal China, trying to save her family, country and herself. Performances continue for two performances only on Oct. 29 at 7 p.m. and Oct. 30 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10, General Admission by reservation at 832-6060 or info@thewaldo.org and at the door. Group rates are available by phone.
“Mulan Jr.” is presented with no intermission in about an hour. Great music and strong performances make it a good choice for the whole family.
