Disney next-generation tale on Epsilon stage

By Wendy Carson

For those of you who are not familiar with the Disney Descendants franchise, allow me to sum up: All of the classic Heroes and Villains now have teenage kids. All villains (including offspring) have been banished to the “Isle of the Lost” where magic doesn’t work and evil is the status quo. Everyone else lived in the “United States of Auradon.”

Epsilon Theatrical Company gives us a glimpse of these lands in “Disney Descendants: The Musical,” performed by an eager local cast of various ages.

Belle (Macie Barker) and the now-human Beast (Jim O’Connor) rule Auradon, and plan to crown their son Ben (Eliott King) as king in a grand coronation ceremony. The youth wishes to heal the rift between his people and those of the Isle, especially as there is now a second generation. In this spirit, he has invited four of the Villains’ kids to attend school in Auradon for a year.

Though there is pushback from both sides, the plans go through and Carlos (Gavin McMillin), son of Cruella DeVil (Mary McDonnel); Jay (Christian Parchman), son of Jafar (Rodney Sciba); Evie (Lacey Pierce), daughter of The Evil Queen from Snow White (Kellie Lawrence); and Mal (Phebie Heath) daughter of Maleficent (Sharon Livingston) arrive at school. The group has plans to steal the wand of the Fairy Godmother (Kate Ambrose) in order to permanently open a portal to the Isle so Maleficent can rule all of Auradon.

Also added to the mix are Doug (Tyrell Smith), the son of Dopey; Chad (Luke Wilson), the empty-headed son of Prince Charming; Jane (Greta Shambarger), daughter of the Fairy Godmother; and Audrey (Adriana Nicholson), daughter of Sleeping Beauty. Rounding out the cast are a few teachers and a huge ensemble of very talented youngsters keeping everything hip-hopping.

As the “bad” kids seek to exploit being good, the “good” kids find themselves acting on their dark side. While this plot may feel a bit predictable (watch for a twist, though), the songs are fun and the whole cast does an amazing job of keeping the show upbeat and enjoyable. Jayson Elliott directs. A couple of big shout-outs to wardrobe director Lawana Penrod who did a stand-out job bringing together a wild group of outlandish costumes that were absolutely perfect for each character, as well as Mary McDonnel and Macie Barker who worked together to give us some lively choreography that really sparkled.

This show is an excellent choice for younger children, so round up your kids and grandkids and head over to catch it or else you might feel “Rotten to the Core” for missing out. Performances are Friday through Sunday, April 17-19, at Broadway United Methodist Church, 609 E 29th St., Indianapolis. Get tickets at epsilontheatricalco.org.

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