BWW Reviews: BIG NATE Rocks First Stage with Big Middle School Magic

Rock out with First Stage this March when BIG NATE: THE MUSICAL blasts through the Todd Wehr Theater. A dynamic young performer cast recreates Lincoln Peirce's popular cartoon characters set in Kristen Ellhert's magical stage design where lights flash, videos display Nate's drawings and sets swing from classroom to home in mere seconds.

The slick professional production captures the essence of middle school with contemporary comedy when singing catchy musical numbers highlighted by Jason Orlenko's colorful costumes. Molly Rhode's clever choreography allows Nate and his 6th grade cohorts to shine, along with a professional adult cast, which includes Rhode, Rick Pendzich, Alex Campea, Elyse Edelman and Christopher Gilbert. These adults model the middle school teachers who terrorize Nate and play alongside the "dragon" social studies teacher, a T-Rex in tights Mrs. Godfrey, the delightful Rana Roman creating this role.

At a Saturday afternoon performance, the Rainbow Cast featured an energetic and engaging Ben Kindler playing the infamous Nate Wright, future 'Rock Star' and king of detentions at School PS 38. Joe Mitchell and Jonathan Neustifter stand beside Nate as his best friends, Teddy and Frances, while Neustifter, the nerdy smart guy Frances, delivers several scientific facts during the musical with considerable charisma. Seven other young performers in each cast complete the performance ensemble.

Nate's arch-nemesis Gina, a stage opportunity where young performer Chantae Miller steals some scenes, decides to humiliate Nate with every comment she makes. To Nate's chagrin, his heartthrob Jenny, a chic Claire Holtebeck, passes Nate by with little notice. She falls for the appeal of the Russian exchange student, Artur, played in a charming performance by Andrew Lynch.

The 90-minute, one intermission afternoon passes quickly while enjoying the melodies of the musical score directed by Brian Myers and under the production direction of Jeff Schaetzke, who truly allows the musical to sing for the audience. When the final Battle of the Bands occurs at a school dance, will the audience forget the lyrics by Galvin and the Galvinators who croon, "EMC2 Equals Me and You... because they're too sexy for their DNA?" Or Big Nate's attempt to win Jenny's heart when he plays his drums for his band Enslave the Mollusks belting out "Love is a Four Letter Word." Each lyric and song by Chris Youstra and Jason Loewith glorify the traumas of middle school life with enchanting humor.

A musical production filled with immense fun, First Stage's BIG NATE extolls the virtues of best friends. Even when a school day, an event, go amiss, these 6th graders' dreams might still come true, and your friends stand beside you to get you through the day. This theme underscores BIG NATE's musical mayhem, an exceptional message that instills in every First Stage young performer, or those sitting in the audience, the inspiration to overcome life's setbacks with confidence knowing that tomorrow circumstances will bring success. Eleven years old and sixth grade move quickly into 12, 13 and 14-years old when new challenges arise. Rock out and roll with excitement to the middle school magic of BIG NATE.

First Stage presents BIG NATE: THE MUSICAL in the Todd Wehr Theatre at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts through March 29. For information on performances or tickets, please call 414.273.7206 or www.firststage.org