Maybe you should start wishing less and doing more.”-Desha Crownover, Playwright
By Eric George Tauber
CINCINNATI, Ohio — Blindspot Collective in San Diego is known for its shows for young audiences, tackling difficult topics such as mental illness, the bullying of immigrants and the tribulations of the transgendered. They specialize in “forum theatre” in which audience members actually get to step into the show and give the actors do-overs with better outcomes. But, like all of us, the current situation has forced them to rethink how they do things. And so, they have created Lit: A Virtual Musical, written and directed by Desha Crownover of SD Junior Theatre with book and lyrics by Blake McCarty and Music by Ian Brandon.
On the cluttered stage of the Performing Arts Center in Escondido, we encounter six bright-eyed young actors singing original sea shanties on acoustic instruments. Instead of one bright star, behold a constellation made of Kailey Agpaoa, Morgan Hollingsworth, Joe Kao, Dakota Ringer, Sarah Jane Salonga and Heather Tjalma Barton.
Like many beloved classics of children’s literature, Lit: A Virtual Musical sets a plucky girl on a quest. Celeste lives on a boat on the horizon, where the water meets the sky. The sun has vanished to places unknown, making the Moon pull double shifts as the only source of illumination. Every night, the Moon sings to Celeste and gives her a kiss before disappearing. Celeste wants to find more sources of light to give her tired mother a break.
On her way, Celeste encounters a wise-cracking loon and the silly, singing tricorn and tutu-clad Pirates of the Shine who somehow steal light. Celeste befriends their much-abused cook who jumps ship to join her quest. There are perils on this journey such as The Undertow that consumes us when we lose all patience.
Especially touching is the song of Melanie the Sensitive Whale who just doesn’t fit in because she is always “too much.” Melanie developed a thick skin to protect herself, but her soul still hurts. It’s a song many of us can relate to.
As our schools return to full capacity and assemblies return, this show needs to be on the calendar. Lit is a charming tale with an important lesson about the value of creativity, courage, compassion and connectedness. After a year of remote working and learning, sheltering in place and limiting our contact with others, these are the messages we really need.
Lit can be viewed by following the link here. Blindspot Collective | Lit: a new musical
*
Eric George Tauber, now residing in Cincinnati, spent years in San Diego as an actor and drama critic. He may be contacted via eric.tauber@sdjewishworld.com