Plano Repertory Theatre is closing their season with Schoolhouse Rock, Live!. This musical is based on those three minute musical cartoons of the 1970s that were sandwiched between Saturday morning cartoons. If you are part of Generation X, these songs will bring a flood of memories. While the songs are festive and enjoyable, a musical they simply do not make. This is not aided at all by the empty and emotionless book which is like very thin fishing line connecting one song to the next, only to snap and break off here and there throughout the evening. Also, there are moments throughout where there are no lyrics or sustaining notes, thus leaving the soloist or the cast to just stand there and bounce to the music, which is awkward. The cast and production staff do a grand job of using their talents to overcome the sluggish material. It's amazing that even with three listed book writers, the book still gasps for little pockets of creative air.

This is the first production directed by local actress and cabaret singer Amy Stevenson. I must say she has done a dynamite job. She has a sharp eye for casting and creative blocking. Stevenson keeps her company of six performers in high energy mode and she uses the entire set and stage. She has created charming moments, interesting blocking, and unity within her company.

Kudos once again to maestro James McQuillen for his always "right on the money" professional musical direction.

Kelly Songy's choreography is a major highlight of this show. Songy's use of jazz, soft shoe, Dance Fever techniques, and '50s doo-wop dance creations is fresh, original, and saves a lot of the musical numbers. Her "hand jive" style choreography for the musical number "Ready or Not, Here I Come", the use of vests and make-believe ice skating for "Figure Eight", and the aerobic flavored "Do The Circulation" are examples of some of the delightful choreography she has created for the evening.

Once again, scenic designer Scott Kirkham has created a fine piece of eye candy. His recent set design for One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest at ICT was excellent, and here he has created another winner of a set design. The set for Schoolhouse Rock, Live! is a pastel painted bedroom. Using eye popping colors of apple green, bright pink, and sky blue add energy to the set. Kirkham's set is fun, kooky, and has a cartoonish look that fits perfectly with the songs.

Cris Bay-Anderson and Mark D. Fleischer's design for lighting Kirkham's set is also top-notch. The designers use bright pastel gels to cover the cast and stage, including the back wall, in various assortments of wonderful colors. To create intimate moments within the show, they use special pools of light to separate a cast member or moment; this really adds to the enjoyment of the production.

A.H. Bowers' costumes are charming and festive in a bright array of geometric patterns of sequins.

Energy is not lacking in this cast; they keep their high octane energy throughout the evening, never once letting it dip. Each cast member has his or her moment to shine. Jimmy Nelson and Megan Woodall are the strongest in the cast for comedy, giving the right tone, energy level, and facial expressions.

Sara Shelby Martin is also a shining part of the evening as the teacher on her first day to class. She has the best solo of the evening, "The Tale of Mr. Morton", once again providing her grand soprano vocals. Martin has the right overtones as a teacher who really wants to teach her kids well.

Caitlyn Sullivan, Courtney Lengyel, and Ms. Woodall provide the best trio musical number of the evening with the ballad "Great American Melting Pot." The three gals blended their soprano vocals beautifully.

Some of the other enjoyable numbers include Martin, Brendan Cyrus, and Nelson's version of "Lolly, Lolly, Lolly, Get Your Adverbs Here" and Nelson's solo of "My Hero, Zero", among others.

The company numbers of "The Preamble", "Do The Circulation", "Elbow Room", "Mother Necessity" and "A Victim of Gravity" are crowd pleasers as well.

This musical has a lot of child-like overtones. It's more geared toward kids, of which there were only two in the audience on the night I attended. Overall, it is the talents of the production staff and cast that save this musical, which is for people who really loved those Schoolhouse Rock ditties, though alas, I am not one of them.

Schoolhouse Rock, Live! plays through Dec 9. For tickets call 972-422-7460.

Schoolhouse Rock, Live!
Plano Repertory Theatre
Book by Scott Ferguson, George Keating, & Kyle Hall
Music & Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, Bob Dorough, Dave Frishberg, Kathy Mandry, George Newal, & Tom Yohe
Directed by Amy Stevenson
Music Direction by James McQuillen
Choreography by Kelly Songy
Set Design by Scott Kirkham
Light Design by Cris Bay-Anderson and Mark D. Fleischer
Costume Design by A. H. Bowers

Cast

Joe: Brendan Cyrus
Dina: Courtney Lengyel
George: Jimmy Nelson
Sarah: Sara Shelby-Martin
Shulie: Caitlyn Sullivan
Dori: Megan Woodall

--John Garcia