May 23, 2010 | Story by: Lindsey Chester | Categories: Theater
Beazus, played by Gabbi Merz, in "Ramona Quimby"
Story and photos by Lindsey Chester.
Cary, NC- The weather wasn’t looking very promising Saturday evening as I headed out to Bond Park with my daughter Emma for Applause! Theatre’s production of “Ramona Quimby”.
Happily, it had stopped raining, but the clouds were ominous and thunder still rumbled in the distance. The parking lot at Sertoma Amphitheatre was packed and we headed to the ticket table where everyone was crossing their fingers in hope that the rains would hold off for the rest of the evening.
We were so glad we braved the weather. These kids put on a heck of a show! To the strains of the song “Our House” by Madness, the cast began setting the scene of the little town the Quimby’s live in, a town not that different from Cary.
The character of the older sister Beazus (admirably played by Gabbi Merz) spoke directly to the audience, narrating the relationships in her family. Her younger sister Ramona, (Lauren Toney), stormed onstage to ask why she too could not speak to the audience – but this was a privilege (like so many others) only enjoyed by the eldest child. Sound familiar?
A classroom scene in Ramona Quimby. L-->R Mallory Griffin, Tara Boldrin and Lauren Toney
The play goes on to illustrate the struggles of a family coping with a father who loses his job, a mother who returns to work, sibling rivalry, the wedding of their favorite aunt and of course the personality conflicts found in every school classroom. I heard many of the same arguments that seem to occur almost daily between my own two daughters.
The direction included the use of many familiar Baby Boomer songs to move scenes along. One of the most memorable moments was hearing the familiar strains of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” and watching as the entire cast got on stage to recreate the famous zombie dance.
The design team crafted backdrops on wheels that the stage crew (dressed in black) pushed around to became restaurants and classrooms. The group made use of minimal props and scenic elements to create not only a street, but an apartment house and a wedding chapel.
The Quimby Family played by Lauren Toney, Gabbi Merz, Lauren Knott and Brian Croft
The Applause Theater group, headed up by Rachel Green, is open to all children ages 8-18 who live in Cary. The program is so popular that over 150 kids tried out for the 26 parts that were required for this production. Since 1999, the group has produced over 20 different plays including “Beauty and the Beast,” “Peter Pan” and “Dracula”. I can’t wait to see what the fall production will be!
For more events happening in Cary, visit the CaryCitizen Calendar. If you would like us to add your event, email Lindsey Chester.
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