“Just So” Delivers an Unexpectedly Impressive Performance
Micah Bessette
He/Him
Staff Writer
DOP
Come along into a world of fables and fantasy, where the zebras have no stripes and the elephants no trunks. Where stoves can sing and dance, crabs can move the tide, and kangaroos wear inflatable pants!
From April 10th to the 12th, the Plymouth State theatre department is putting on four productions of “Just So” in the Hanaway Theatre. A brilliantly weird show written by Anthony Drewe and George Stiles based around a compilation of the “Just So Stories” by Rudyard Kipling, featuring some of Plymouth State’s finest actors, and producers.
The story of “Just So” follows the Elephant’s Child and the Kolokolo Bird as they make their way through forests, islands, and savannahs in search to stop Pau Amma, the ever-destructive crab. Along their journey they meet many friends, and with the help of the narrator, the Eldest Magician, they help their new friends discover their true identities.
I went in with a prejudice from what I had heard of the performance beforehand, but I have to say I’m extremely impressed with how the theatre department has pulled this one off. Considering the cheesy nature of the show and the directionless plot, I really enjoyed watching this production. The script and the show itself lowered the bar, but the actors, directors, producers, set and costume designers, and everyone else involved made it all worthwhile.
The ensemble really made this show for me. The leads were all amazing, don’t get me wrong, but the presence of the ensemble throughout the whole narrative really elevated a sense of disbelief that allowed me to get carried into the show. The intricate choreography of many of the background dancers, their use of props to contextualize a scene, and their emotional harmonies really built a powerful groundwork for the rest of the production.
“The collaborative nature of our ensemble building has been one of my favorite parts,” said Francis Page, director of the show. I could tell each member of the ensemble really put their dedication and effort into making the best possible version of this show, even if it meant added stress.
There was one scene in particular that I really appreciated where the ensemble danced with small lights on their hands while Joie Lynch, playing the Kolokolo Bird, sung an impressive vocal performance for one of the few more serious songs in the show. Her notable range and vibrant use of volume and tone combined with the melancholy dance from the ensemble created a performance that stuck.
Some other notable performances included Jack Downey’s clear and powerful vocals as the Eldest Magician, specifically in the reprise right before intermission, Jacob Hepburn’s intentionally awkward yet charming acting as the Elephant’s Child, Noah Alers-Alers and Ian Manning’s iconic duo as Parsee and the Cooking Stove, Ryley McNeeley’s charismatic dancing and singing as the Kangaroo, and Connor Lavertu’s humorous emotional depth in the Rhino’s solo number.
The intricate costumes were crucial to the production, with vibrant colors, fun masks, brilliant quick changes, and a walking stove. There were several times where characters would even change costumes on-stage, seamlessly. “As an ensemble there are moments where I’m having to run on stage and then run back off and then run on as a completely different character,” said Riley Scanlon.
According to the cast, the favorite costume from the show was Manning’s Cooking Stove, with an openable oven door functioning as a mouth. The favorite musical number among actors and the crew, which involved the Stove, was “Please Don’t Touch my Stove.” Lavertu added that the number is “so over the top. It’s so goofy, and it has this added goofiness because it comes right after a very serious moment in the show.”
While, after originally reading the script, the cast had some doubts about the show, they grew to understand its significance. “The show is definitely weird. Going into it, we were like, ‘what the fuck is this,’” recalled Manning. “The more we dug into it and understood the journeys that everybody takes, [the more] we were like, ‘wow, okay, this is an important story to tell.’”
Olivia Zottos, starring as the Zebra, adds that she “thought it was giving more of a childish vibe, but turns out there’s a lot more valuable lessons that we could take as adults.”
As the cast realized the potential for the show, their spirits began rising and the production really started to take shape. “I think I was rather nervous, especially hearing the parts that the director had cast me as – it was definitely daunting – but I think throughout the show I just got more hopeful,” recalled William Conely, playing the Jaguar.
Although “Just So” has a lot of corny dialogue (and a few good dad jokes too) and some questionable plot arcs, its message should resonate with those of all ages. “I hope the audience leaves with a sense of wonder and looking at life with the perspective of a child’s sense of curiosity,” said Page.
If this sounds like the production for you, go see “Just So”, this weekend only in the Silver Center for the Arts’ Hanaway Theatre. The production crew of around 40 has put in so much time and effort to make an astounding show, and they’ve really pulled off something magical.