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Date: 8/7/2022
WEST SPRINGFIELD – “People think children’s theater and they go oh, you know, goofy, silly torture for the adults but, you know, I’m an admirer of Jim Henson and Spielberg. I like when the adults enjoy it. Just as much as the kids, you know. I try to aim for that,” said Stephen Petit, production manager and children’s theater director at The Majestic theater on Elm St.
Petit and The Majestic are staging a production of “School House Rock Jr.” this month. The musical revives all the hits from the 1970s educational cartoons that became a staple of rainy-day classrooms throughout the country. On four days next week, children and adults alike can see their favorite edutainment shorts performed live by the Majestic’s house band, and a group of talented young actors.
“The songs are the same but story is a loose structure. It’s almost basically a concert of the songs,” said Petit.
“The premise that they have here is that it’s a young new teacher on his first day of school, and he’s nervous because it’s his first day so he comes in early before the kids get there. And he says, ‘Well, maybe if I put on the TV I can relax.’ So, I’m doing a bit where he has one of those smart boards that classrooms have. And he goes up to that, but it asks for a password. He gives up on using that but checks in the closet. And when he goes in the closet, he wheels out like a big box TV on a cart with strap downs like they used to wheel out in class to watch Schoolhouse Rock? And when he turns it on, the Schoolhouse Rock Show is playing, and then the characters on the TV start talking to him. And ultimately, they come out of the TV and they are just they’re performing the song. At first, he’s afraid and spooked. But then he starts getting into it, you know? He loosens his tie, he rolls up his sleeves and he starts performing the songs too, and then by the end of the show, it’s like he’s loosened up. He’s ready to teach. He knows that learning can be fun, and he’s not so very straight laced and nervous,” said Petit.
“The last thing we’ll hear is a school bell, like now school is starting, as the lights black out on the very last song,” said Petit.
“School House Rock Live! Jr.” will be performed at the Majestic Theater as part of its summer children’s programming on August 1-3, and 7-10. Tickets are $10, and all attending must wear a mask.
For ticket information, go to https://majestictheater.com.