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01/24/2017 11:20 AMThe baddest bad guy of them all is about to be held accountable for his actions. That’s right, 5th and 6th graders in Deep River are putting the Big Bad Wolf on trial for his reprehensible crimes, with the Big Bad Musical: A Howling Courtroom Comedy.
A cast of 19 will tackle the roles of fairy tale favorites, including Little Red Riding Hood and Grandma, the Three Little Pigs, the Woodcutter, Evil Stepmother, and of course, Fairy Godmother.
Miriam Morrissey, the musical’s producer and member of the Deep River Parks and Recreation Commission started the 5th and 6th grade play program four years ago.
“When I was this age we did it in my school, and I wanted my kids to have the opportunity,” said Morrissey. “The commission is supportive of people who want to run programming, and this gives kids an experience in theatre.”
The program also lets kids use the Town Hall Auditorium and stage, and exposes them to a part of their town they might not know is there for their use.
Susan Hackett is directing for the third time, and Jessica Nevins is serving as the musical director for the fourth time.
“I’m an early education music teacher, so for me these are the big kids. Its great to see them sing and act,” said Nevins. “It’s an extension of the work I do.”
“It’s so well supported by the community, too,” continued Nevins. “Parents, Parks and Recreation, our very own costume grandmother—it lets us really put on a real show and have that experience. That’s what makes it so exciting.”
“When I was their age, there wasn’t anything like this,” said Hackett. “It’s a way for this age group to push the boundaries and grow and we get to see this amazing transformation while we work on the musical.”
The last two years, the kids have staged full, two-act, 90-minute productions.
“With all the various time constraints, it’s a lot to ask of these kids,” said Hackett.
This year’s performance will be slightly shorter, as it is technically a one-act show that they’ve split into two acts. When the directing team looks for scripts, they look for plays that have a lot of parts, rather than a handful of leads and a large chorus.
“We want to create many opportunities to shine,” said Hackett.
“The show is fantastical and funny,” added Nevins. “The kids get the jokes. There is a really fun score, too.”
“You just see the confidence emerge,” continued Hackett. “It’s the type of thing that carries into every aspect of life.”
The actors themselves are excited to share their hard work with the public, because they know that the end result is going to be both entertaining and funny.
Brooke Millburne, the Big Bad Wolf herself, says she likes her part because she gets to be really sassy, and gets to sing a lot. She was also a part of the cast last year, and has taken part in other plays in the area.
“Acting makes me feel both really free and really in control,” said Millburne. “You just stand on that stage and look into the audience and see that all the people have come to see you and the cast.”
“My favorite part is my cast family,” continued Millburne. “They make me a better person and it is important to have a cast that is there for you.
“We work hard and try to make it good, said cast member Hannah Schwartzman. “If you come you know its good entertainment.”
Big Bad Musical: A Howling Courtroom Comedy will be performed at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 4, and 11 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 5 at the Deep River Town Hall Auditorium. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children, and can be purchased at Town Hall and Celebrations.