Horizon triumphs in ‘Mulan’

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Mulan (bottom, performed
by Mikayla Trimpey) is seen near Mushu (top, performed by Hannah Buck) during a rehearsal of Mulan, a
Horizon Youth Theater production. (Photo: Enoch Wu/Sentinel-Tribune)

The Horizon Youth Theatre has shown that the stage can transport young actors, any actors really, to far
off places.
Last year they rode the magic carpet with "Aladdin Jr.," and continuing with their run of
summer Disney musicals the youth troupe is staging the musical "Mulan Jr."
As usual the show employs a cast of dozens from primary school players to high schoolers. They take to
the show with enthusiasm that adds the animated touch this adapted Chinese folk tale that started life
as a cartoon movie requires.
As I wandered backstage in search of a program before the show, it was a joy to hear the chatter as the
cast members got ready to go on stage.
Once the curtain was up that sense of play was still evident, even as the young thespians got down to the
business of telling the story of a Chinese girl who goes to battle both to protect her father and to
discover herself.
The opening scene with a quintet of ancestors – Adam Buck, Scarlet Frishman, Mary Scherer, Annika Barrow
and Cassie Feasel – sing about the importance of tradition, joined by 20 family members.
This tradition involves strictly defined gender roles – boys become soldiers, girls become brides – as
spelled out in the song "Written in Stone."
But one girl, Fa Mulan (Mikayla Trimpey), is independent and lets everyone know it. She is awkward when
called upon to perform the feminine rituals as when she meets with the matchmaker (Terra Sloane). The
matchmaker summarily dismisses her as a suitable bride much to the disappointment of her father (Fa
Zhou), mother (Rachel Piasecki) and sharply critical grandmother (Sky Frishman).
When the time comes to fight the invading Huns, Mulan disguises herself as a male, steals her infirmed
father’s armor and heads to join the Army led by a famous general’s son Shang (William Cagle).
The ancestors, having no other option, send along the mischievous, wise-cracking dragon Mushu (Hannah
Buck) to aid her. After all, what would a Disney show be without a mischievous, wise-cracking mascot for
the hero?
All this plays out in song (performed well without mikes over a prerecorded instrumental tracks), high
jinx, petty politics, comic banter and a little pathos. Mulan saves the day and, lest the play veer too
far from the Disney tradition, finds a man.
The troupe makes good use of the spacious Donnell stage, never seemed dwarfed by it, nor to be straining
to fill it.
The simple effects are true to the troupe’s founding, as an ensemble on the move after it staged its
early shows in the former Black Swamp Players’ stage in the Woodland Mall.
That was years ago, and the troupe has had bumpy times, but persists. The youth troupe has woven itself
into the vibrant and varied theatrical culture of Bowling Green. When you include the production crew
including director Sarah Maxwell, stage manager Brittany Albrecht and assistant director Justin
Betancourt, this show has links to all the other troupes in town.
That should give the youngsters a sense that they are part of something larger. No, it isn’t as grand as
saving China, but entertaining people and discovering oneself on stage is important in its own right.

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