Loch Ness: A New Musical at the Chance Theater
by Angela Hatcher
Anaheim Hill’s newly expanded and “industrial-chic” Chance Theater at the Bette Aitken Theater Arts Center is proud to present the exclusive World Premiere of a family-friendly and uplifting new musical directed by Ovation Award-winning Marshall Pailet and co-written by Pailet and AD Penedo.
Loch Ness, a new musical is a highly imaginative and whimsical adventure that is certain to burst onto the scene as the next modern day classic. Who hasn’t hurt of the legendary monster that lurks in the misty waters of Loch Ness located in the haze of the Scottish Highlands in Britain’s largest body of water? For centuries, many scientific enthusiasts and crypto zoologists have set out on expeditions in search of the elusive cryptid, and yet – the question remains – is giant “Nessie” a myth?
Penedo and Pailet’s magical story comes to life as the commissioned and well-respected Dr. Thomas Westerbrook (Jackson Tobiska), with the doctor’s adventurous 12-year-old daughter Haley (Julia Cassandra Smith) and crew head out into the murky waters of the loch in search of the mythological creature.
Kids and animals trust each other – even if it’s a doctor’s daughter and a humongous lizardy thing, and Haley finds a special friend. But father and daughter soon discover something far more powerful and rewarding than the search for the monster of the lake and as they grieve over the loss of Haley’s mum, they rediscover a bond and the love they have for each other.
Fred Kinney and Megan Hill’s set and puppetry design is ingenious and wonderfully well-executed. With the thick foggy lake below, a massive movable deck lies above and spans the length of the theater and the “lake”. With the use of a few simple props, the multi-purpose deck easily transforms from a ship, to an office space, to a bar, and a cabin. Without question, the team’s clever puppetry is absolutely amazing. The highest praise goes to Katie Brown portraying the talking Nessie – yes, she is a lady monster – she sings beautifully, and she’s hilarious!
Smith is enchanting as Haley, and her angelic vocals are well-suited for the part. Tobiska convincingly takes full command of his role as Dr. Westerbrook, and there is a certain purity and solemn quality to his vocals that shows character and a genuine presence without being too imposing. Alex Bueno portrays CJ, the captain of the ship, and once the audience “gets” her character, it becomes difficult to look at her without cracking up. She doesn’t just portray the captain: she IS the captain!
Angeline Mirenda portrays the beautiful nemesis, Leana Callaghan, who’s as dangerous as she is beautiful. Keaton Williams and Gina Velez are the goofy French duo, Pierre and Eclair, and Corky Loupe is The Oiler, the oddball who has lots of questions and always seems to be “borrowing” other people’s clothes. Mention also to Matt Takahashi as Angus Ogilvie and Laura M. Hathaway as Balladeer.
There are many layers to this story, the actors are top notch, and the music and singing is spectacular. Dipping their toes into the unknown waters of Loch Ness, Penedo and Pailet share these thoughts:
“…the script, the score, orchestrations, set, staging, puppetry, choreography, etc. — have no pre-existing template. All have been developed here, for this space, for this cast, for this audience, for this moment. It’s what theater should always be…”
Appealing to a diverse audience of all ages, there are occasional undertones of adult humor, but in the end, Loch Ness, a new musical, is one of the freshest, smartest, and funniest musicals to come along in a very long time, and the audience will soon discover that even for a ten foot tall lady of the lake, “size does matter.”
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