Kenny Hertling

‘Gold’en opportunity for kids as audience guides the adventure

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By Wendy Carson

Constellation Stage and Screen of Bloomington presents the very child-friendly family production, “Alex Gold: Stuck on Repeat,” by Sarah Ziegler Blair and Kellen Blair, directed by Jack McCarthy.

Alex (Jo Moran) has a very active and often distracting imagination. In fact, it caused him to fail the sixth grade so he must repeat the year. When he tries to tell his best friend Morgan (Carolyn Stouder) the news, he chickens out and tells her he’s going to study in France next year. What could possibly go wrong?

Luckily, Alex has a large team of brain cells (the audience) to assist him in dealing with his situation. We provide some guidance throughout the show by way of words given pre-show (much akin to Mad Libs) and polls throughout. Depending on the outcome of these prompts, the story line is transformed.

While his second trip through sixth grade starts well, a chance encounter with Morgan leads him to pose as Luc, the French exchange student taking Alex’s place. His schemes for success are even further hampered by his overly adoring wannabe bestie Thad Mazinsky (Tucker Ransom). Add to this the presence of Mr. McCurdle (Paul Daily), the Middle School principal, who loathes “wackiness” but has his own secret indulgences. It’s easy to see that Alex really needs all our help to make it through the year.

Rounding out the cast are Kenny Hertling and Sophia Hoffman who portray various students and characters, as well as representing the changes in seasons by throwing leaves, snowflakes, flowers, and at one point “money” throughout the audience.

While the show is funny and silly, it also teaches children about parts of speech (those words provided earlier were nouns, verbs and adjectives); how to carry oneself in times of struggle; the importance of truthfulness; and the difference between being friendly and actually being a friend. Judging by the response of all the kids in our audience this interactive experience, inspired in part by games like “Minecraft,” is perfect for grades K-5.

Performances, at Waldron Auditorium, 122 S. Walnut St. in downtown Bloomington, are 6:30 p.m. Friday, 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday (May 3-5); 6:30 p.m. Friday, 1 and 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday (May 10-12).

The very last performance, 4 p.m. Sunday, May 12, will be Sensory Friendly, accommodating those on the autism spectrum or with similar conditions. It will feature lower sound, lights on with no strobe or flashing, more room in the seats and the freedom for patrons to talk and move as needed. Resource materials are available, and tickets for this particular show are Pay-What-You-Will (minimum $5).

For details and tickets, contact Constellation at 812-336-9300 or visit seeconstellation.org.

‘Anne’ charms Bloomington stage

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By John Lyle Belden

Life can be frustrating when you’ve got a big wild imagination and you are stuck in an orphanage or foster home doing chores and taking care of others. But suddenly, your dreams start to come true!

This is how we meet “Anne of Green Gables,” in a production of Constellation Stage & Screen (formerly Cardinal Stage) at Waldron Auditorium in Bloomington. The play by Catherine Bush adapts and condenses the celebrated Lucy Maud Montgomery novel to a quick-paced movie-length act perfect for the various children and tweens in the audience, just a little younger than the red-haired girl – played by IU student Alexa Norbeck – arriving at the village of Avonlea in beautiful Prince Edward Island, Canada.

Anne (don’t forget the “e”) is to live at Green Gables farm with late-middle-age siblings Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert (Greg Simons and Maria Walker). They had planned on adopting a boy, but before the error can be corrected, Anne charms her way into their lives. The cast also includes Mia Siffin as dramatic busybody Rachel Lynde and Diana, Anne’s “bosom friend;” David Hosei as Gilbert, Anne’s scholastic rival and enemy for mocking her hair; and Kenny Hertling in other roles, including teacher Mr. Phillips.

Norbeck presents Anne as a wild-eyed romantic, a bit melodramatic and prone to renaming things when what they were called seems too plain, but also relatable as she takes on life lessons without losing an ounce of her spirit. Siffin is a study of contrasts, wildly over-the-top to the delight of younger audience members as Rachel, yet sweet and best-friendly as Diana. Hosei presents Gilbert as a regular boy – not mean in his teasing and slowly finding he likes this smart and special girl, if she would only forgive him. Simons portrays a respectful father-figure, discovering the closest he would ever get to a daughter. Walker has an arc of growth in Marilla, as she learns that strict upbringing might not be best for the fire-haired force of nature she has come to love.

Direction is by Mallory Metoxen. The clever stage design by Erin Gautille is also noteworthy, made up of wooden boxes decorated like children’s toy blocks with furniture and other features painted on the sides.

Like the book, this play is fine for all ages, wonderful for children. Performances run through Nov. 27; get info and tickets at seeconstellation.org.