By ANDREW SPIESS
BG Independent News
This weekend at the Grand Rapids Town Hall, the cast of Horizon Youth Theatre will be energized and excited to perform “Thumbelina: A Little Musical.”
Originally a literary fairy tale, and later adapted into several animated features, “Thumbelina: A Little Musical” by Julia Riew is about a three-inch-tall girl who leaves home to experience what lies outside of her home.
The story involves friendly and antagonistic complications with animal and insect characters, romance with a fairy prince, and a marriage scheme with a family of toads.
The musical’s cast consists of children ranging from ages 9-13 (See the cast, crew, production team members here). Most come from different schools in the Bowling Green and Toledo area, and some are homeschooled.
Ten-year-old Xena Parker, performing as Thumbelina, takes her first lead role through this show. “Thumbelina: A Little Musical” is Parker’s third musical performance, and she was confident and comfortable in her singing and acting.
Drs. JoBeth Gonzalez and F. Scott Regan established Horizon Youth Theatre in 1997, bringing the company to a 30th anniversary next year.
Director Harley Partlow, of Bowling Green, became involved with HYT as an actor in 2012.
“I have been working with Horizon Youth Theater as a staff member for about four years, but I was working with them as a student before that, so technically like 14 years.”
Musical Director Mattie Vermilya recently started with HYT; her first show with the company was last fall. Vermilya attended Ashland University in Mansfield, Ohio, where she studied musical theater.
“I’ve been doing theater in the area for a very long time. After I graduated, I moved back and just started working with different companies here,” she said.
HYT has been rehearsing for “Thumbelina: A Little Musical” four days a week for the past eight weeks. This is a lot of work for a cast of children. However, creating this play clearly isn’t a chore for them. The love and enthusiasm from the children is undeniable, making this a wonderfully entertaining show.
“We both have had the opportunity to work with every kid in this show on other projects before this one,” said Vermilya. “So there is definitely a relationship and trust and comfortability. And in general, I think Horizon Youth Theater is a very safe space for a lot of kids in this community, and you feel it around you when you’re here.”
“Thumbelina: A Little Musical” will be performed at the Grand Rapids Town Hall, 24282 Front St., tonight (Nov. 6) and Nov. 7 at 7 p.m. and at 2 p.m. on Nov. 8. Tickets are $12 ($10 each for groups of five or more) and can be purchased on the HYT website or at the door. Seating is general admission.
