I'm Not Alone in Liking Bugsy Malone!

On Saturday, 07/26/08, I was delighted by the production of "Bugsy Malone, Jr.", performed by kids, ranging from 8 to 16 yrs. old, in the NORD/Crescent City Lights Youth Theater. I thought I was going to see something close to an elementary school play, put together just before the end of a school year, with flubbed lines, froggy voices, and the inevitable stagefright and forgotten lines. The acting was very good, as was the singing. The group numbers were bouncy, and reminded me of big Broadway productions. And, the greatest thing was that I could understand the words! No garbled lines, no trailing off at the end of sentences, and no pockets where kids were just mouthing the words! These kids seemed to be having the best time up there on stage!

The same could be said for the kids in the audience; they were mesmerized! No fidgeting. No whining. My 3-yr. old grandson sat in the front row, with his eyes moving from character to character, mouth open in awe.

My sister and I were invited to the performance by her friend, the mother of two of the actors. We plan to go again, so that others in our family will get the opportunity to enjoy this wonderful play If you can, please catch one of the performances (see link above). You're in for a treat!