BRATTLEBORO — Inspired by dystopian fantasy stories and developed in collaboration with a New England Youth Theater ensemble, the interactive musical “Transfixed” offers a new take on the genre.
Desmond Bode, 11, of Brattleboro, said the characters in “Transfixed” learn “dark and scary” truths in two worlds then try to help both worlds.
First, the characters were created. Then, the storyline came together.
“This is my dream job,” Kelindah Ree, director, said. “It’s just so great to work with young people, who are so passionate about what they’re creating, in large part because it came from their inspirations and their visions. They come so ready, and that’s just like such a pleasure as a director and writer.”
Showtimes include 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, June 5 and 6, and 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, June 6 and 7.
The story “takes place in a magical realm where wizards, witches, sorcerers, and unknown mystical creatures live with reckless abandon,” according to a description.
“In a nearby world, human beings extinguish any signs of magic in favor of normalcy and predictability,” the description states. “Young magicals and young humans alike struggle for control of their lives and the very rules of reality, all while navigating the pressures of growing up. In this tale of magic, coming of age, and rebellion, expect spell-casting, potion-making, and shape-shifting.”
Included in the show are elements of “dance, drag, clown, puppetry, mask work, comedic dialogue, melodrama, circus arts and more,” the description states.
A little more than a year ago, NEYT Artistic Director Ben Stockman approached Ree about directing the spring show. Ree had been directing Drag camp every summer. That show involves putting together a drag musical in two weeks, with scenes built around songs.
“I wasn’t feeling inspired about the idea of just like doing a sort of drag-ified musical that already exists,” Ree said. “And this idea just came up of what if we reclaim the youth fantasy genre, which there’s so many incredible youth fantasy texts. But one of the ones that many of us grew up reading, in the past couple years, it’s become clear that the author is bigoted towards people in the queer community and the trans community, and so there was a little bit of heartbreak around losing that series that shall not be named.”
The project at NEYT became about creating something more inclusive. Ree said the students chose their characters and how to represent themselves, and the story still includes what they love about the fantasy genre — spell casting, witches, wizards and transformation.
Students studied Joseph Campbell’s concept of the Hero’s Journey and infused it with their own ideas.
“We started a human world,” Ree said, “then there’s an escape to a magical world and things are not as they seem, and the beings of both worlds have come together to fight against the powers that be that are trying to suppress their magic, their individuality.”
Aruna Duran, 12, of Brattleboro, said the magical world in the story reflects “what’s happening now in our world.”
Music in the show is from the 1980s or 1990s rock era, Ree said. Some modern songs are remixes or covers from the period.
Audience members are welcome to dress up in their favorite fantasy look, Ree said. Witch’s hats, wings and fairy crowns are encouraged.
“We really want the audience to know that this is an interactive musical and they’re really a part of it,” Ree said, “so dress for the part.”
Levon Allen Flores, 11, of Dummerston, said the audience will “take a bit of magic with them from what they’ve experienced because it’s showing how to combat what’s happening, like the bad things in our world.”
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.reformer.com ’
