The Magician's Elephant (musical)

The Magician's Elephant
Production poster
MusicMarc Teitler
Lyrics
  • Nancy Harris
  • Marc Teitler
BookNancy Harris
BasisThe Magician's Elephant
by Kate DiCamillo
Premiere18 October 2021:
Royal Shakespeare Theatre,
Stratford-upon-Avon
Productions

The Magician's Elephant is a musical with book and lyrics by Nancy Harris and music and lyrics by Marc Teitler, based on the 2009 children's novel of the same name by Kate DiCamillo.

Production history

Stratford-upon-Avon (2021)

The musical was announced to make its world premiere as part of the Royal Shakespeare Company's winter 2020 season, running in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon. However, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the production was postponed to run over the 2021 winter season running from 18 October 2021 to 1 January 2022.[1]

The production is directed by Sarah Tipple, designed by Colin Richmond with lighting design by Oliver Fenwick.[2][3]

On 9 July 2021, initial casting was announced and a recording of a song from the show "If This Is True" was released on YouTube, followed by another song "A Lot Like Me" released on 26 July 2021.[4][5]

Sandy, Utah (2024)

The musical made its United States premiere at Hale Center Theatre in Sandy, Utah during their 2024 season, running from September 16 to October 19 2024. The production was directed by Dave Tinney with scenic design by Jenn Taylor and puppetry design, fabrication and direction by AchesonWalsh Studios, lighting design by Jaron Kent Hermansen.[6]

Cast and characters

Character Stratford-upon-Avon Sandy, Utah
2021 2024
Narrator Amy Booth-Steel Mack
Malia Morris
Peter Duchene Jack Wolfe Hyrum Smith
Weston Wright
Vilna Lutz Mark Meadows Ric Starnes
Mark Knowles
Adele Miriam Nyarko Hailey Burnham
Paige Hochalter
Leo Matienne Marc Antolin Keith Evans
Gloria Matienne Melissa James Jordyn Aspyn Durfey
Becky Jeanne Knowles
Countess Quintet Summer Strallen Korianne Johnson
Michelle Blake
Count Quintet Sam Harrison Brett Myers
Justin Bills
Madame LaVaughn Renu Arora DeLayne Dayton
Sharon Lynn Kenison
The Magician Alastair Parker Josh Durfey
Bryan Dayley
The Elephant Zoe Halliday Jordan Dahl
Sam Cooper
Wela Mbusi Benjamin Tate
Julia Wihongi
Suzanne Nixon Miranda Renee Smith
Daniel Miskin
— Jessica Zöe Bird
Sarah Neipp
Police Chief Forbes Masson Zac Zumbrunnen
Jake Ben Suazo
Milliner / Dance Teacher / Police Officer Sharif Afifi Aitana Alapa
Sara Schmidt
Baker / Police Officer Alison Arnopp Ren Cottam
Ian Webb
Young Police Officer / Lamplighter Chrystine Symone Riley Groves
Maxx Teuscher
Sister Marie Mandi Symonds Michelle Sundwall
Brittany Andam
Lisette Lauren Jones Fay Pauline Drysdale
Elisabeth Wilkins
Mrs Griswald Wendy Somerville Mak Milord
Brooke Holladay
Fishmonger Lucca Chadwick-Patel Zachary Ballard
Ammar Al Saffar
Doctor Stephen John Davis Jordon LeBaron
Andrew Reeser
Peter's Mum / Swing Hannah Brown Jackie Marshall
Brittany James
Peter's Dad / Swing Michael Carolan Riley Groves
Maxx Teuscher
Swing Rianna Ash —
Swing Matt Bateman —

Musical Numbers

Act I
  • "Welcome To the Town of Baltese" – Narrator
  • "Discipline, Control, Routine" – Lutz
  • "If This Is True" – Peter
  • "What If Why No Could It Be" – Leo Matienne
  • "No One Must Know" – Police Chief and Police
  • "Your Mind Is Playing Tricks On You" – Police Chief and Police
  • "Discipline, Control Routine" (reprise) – Lutz
  • "I Intended Only Lilies" – Magician and Madame LaVaughn
  • "Secrets" – Company
  • "Follow The Elephant" – Company
  • "Elephant Messiah" – Company
  • "If This Is True" (reprise) – Peter
Act II
  • "The Sight Of An Elephant" – Company
  • "Adele The Brave" – Adele
  • "A Lot Like Me" – Peter
  • "Two Of a Kind" – Company
  • "Don’t Spoil It Pt. 1" – Company
  • "Don’t Spoil It Pt. 2" – Company
  • "Real Magic" – Company
  • "Count Who Doesn’t Count" – Count and Adele
  • "What Good Are Dreams" – Company
  • "If This Is True" – Peter
  • "A Lot Like Me" – Peter
  • "Anything Could Happen" – Company

Reception

The Stratford-upon-Avon production received positive reviews from the critics and audiences receiving mostly four star reviews.[7][8][9]

References

  1. ^ Sutherl, Gill (2 June 2020). "RSC confirms it is closed until at least October". Stratford Herald. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
  2. ^ McPhee, Ryan (4 February 2020). "Royal Shakespeare Company to Present The Magician's Elephant Musical and The Wars of the Roses". Playbill. Retrieved 5 February 2020.
  3. ^ Snow, Georgia (4 February 2020). "Royal Shakespeare Company to stage new family musical and The Wars of the Roses in 2020". The Stage. Retrieved 5 February 2020.
  4. ^ "RSC's The Magician's Elephant musical announces initial casting | WhatsOnStage". www.whatsonstage.com. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
  5. ^ If This Is True | The Magician's Elephant, retrieved 9 July 2021
  6. ^ "Hale Center Theatre The Magician's Elephant Show Program |HaleCenterTheatre". hct.org. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
  7. ^ Davis, Clive. "The Magician's Elephant review — a family spectacle filled with magic". ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
  8. ^ Cavendish, Dominic (29 October 2021). "The Magician's Elephant, review: the RSC's back with a spectacular fantasy". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
  9. ^ "The Magician's Elephant review – the RSC conjures up a musical spectacle | WhatsOnStage". www.whatsonstage.com. Retrieved 9 November 2021.