This weekend, I decided to treat my son to see The Rainbow Fish Musical at the Bellmore Movies and Showplace. The invitation to attend the musical came from a friend of mine, who frequently takes her own children to similar shows. While I had never actively sought out events like this before, I couldn’t resist the opportunity to share this experience with my son.
This captivating production was based on the book which was both written and illustrated by Marcus Pfister. The script, music and lyrics were written by Austin Zumbro and was produced by Pioneer Drama Service, Inc.
The show, brought to life, by talented performers of the Sunrise Theatre Company, a theater group located on Long Island. While my experience with theatrical performances has been limited to Broadway musicals, the Sunrise Theatre Company managed to captivate me with their production, leaving me pleasantly surprised. It was evident that the cast and crew had poured their hearts and souls into creating a magical experience for the audience.
The Theatre
Now, let’s talk about the venue, shall we? So, we pull up to this unassuming building on a side street, sandwiched between other buildings. We stepped into the place, and found ourselves in this teeny-tiny lobby that looked just like your typical theatre. We were greeted by a concessions stand and ticket booth no different than a movie theatre but on a much smaller scale. After showing our tickets, they handed us Playbills. We had to wait a few minutes before they opened the doors and allowed us to find our seats.
The moment we walked into that cozy little theatre, it was like déjà vu! The stage setting reminded me of Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond! Musical at Walt Disney World, but on a slightly tighter budget, if you catch my drift. The seats were comfy, and they even had booster seats available for the little ones who couldn’t see over the tall adults. Luckily, we snagged front-row seats, so my son didn’t need the booster, but hey, it was a nice little bonus! Regrettably, the cup holders embedded in the seats were devoid of a bottom, rendering them incapable of accommodating the small container of apple juice that I had bought for my son. As a consequence, I held the drink, unable to benefit from the convenience that cup holders are intended to provide.
The Performance
Initially, I didn’t have high expectations, but boy, was I in for a surprise! The Starfish (Jordan Coene) completely stole the spotlight, no doubt about it. She reminded me of Dory from the movie “Finding Nemo,” with her forgetfulness and tendency to repeat things. However, her presence on stage was incredibly entertaining. Not only could she sing and dance, but she also had a knack for cracking jokes that had the audience laughing especially the adults.
The entire ensemble exuded an infectious energy that radiated throughout the performance, leaving a lasting impact on the young audience. As a mother, I couldn’t help but be captivated by the valuable lessons they imparted. This cautionary tale about selfishness served as a powerful reminder of the significance of selflessness and the profound joy it brings. Witnessing my son absorb these essential values in such an immersive and captivating manner was truly heartwarming. It’s an experience that any parent would cherish, knowing that their child is being exposed to such positive influences that will shape their character for years to come.
As the show ended, the cast of the show made their way through the audience, exchanging high fives with all the little ones. The energy in the room was palpable as the actors continued their journey into the lobby, where they warmly greeted the audience and created opportunities for memorable photo moments as we bid farewell to the theatre.
The Lesson Learned
So, after the show, I asked my 6-year-old what he thought the point of the show was. He responded with “Mom, it’s all about being kind, sharing, and giving to others.” Kudos to the Sunrise Theatre Company for delivering such a powerful message that a six-year-old can grasp! And let me tell you, the tickets were worth every dollar. The memories and life lesson my kiddo gained from that show? Priceless
The performance exceeded my expectations. I am now eager to explore more productions by the Sunrise Theatre Company and other local theater groups.
If you have the opportunity to see the Rainbow Fish Musical in your city I highly recommend it.
Plot of the Musical
Once upon a time in the vast ocean, there lived a small and sassy fish named Rainbow Fish (Andrew Crouch). With his dazzling, multi-colored scales, he believed he was the most fabulous fish in the entire sea. Everywhere he swam, all the other sea creatures would stop and stare in awe of his beauty. It was like being a celebrity, but underwater!
One fine day, Rainbow Fish received an invitation to a grand party. However, being the conceited fish that he was, he couldn’t care less about attending. He thought to himself, “Why should I waste my time with these ordinary fish? They should be grateful just to bask in my glorious presence!” Oh, how his arrogance knew no bounds!
But fate had a funny way of teaching lessons to those who thought too highly of themselves. As Rainbow Fish swam through the shimmering coral reef, he encountered Little Fish (Emma Gerard). She was in awe of Rainbow Fish’s shiny scales and desperately wanted him to swim with her school of fish. She even dared to ask if she could have just one of his beautiful scales.
Well, you can imagine how Rainbow Fish reacted. He scoffed at Little Fish and rudely refused her request. Little did he know that Little Fish had a trick up her fin. She swam away, spreading the news of Rainbow Fish’s rude behavior to all the other fish in the sea. By the time Rainbow Fish arrived at the party, he was in for a big surprise. None of the fish wanted to play with him anymore! Ouch, that must have stung his ego!
Feeling hurt and lonely, Rainbow Fish decided to take Little Fish up on her offer to swim with her school of fish. However, he didn’t exactly have a change of heart. Instead of being friendly and joining in their games, he expected the other fish to simply sit back and admire his beauty. Well, that didn’t go down well with Miss Minnow, Little Fish’s teacher. She scolded Rainbow Fish and told him to play alone.
Left with no friends except for a wise Starfish (Jordan Coene), Rainbow Fish sought advice from the all-knowing octopus. He swam to her cave, hoping to find a solution to his loneliness. The octopus (Lisa Berman), being a wise old creature, explained to Rainbow Fish through a catchy song that his scales were nothing more than a fancy costume. She urged him to share his scales with the other fish, assuring him that true happiness lies in giving.
