Publication Date: Friday, August 27, 2004
Broadway bound?
Broadway bound?
(August 27, 2004) TheatreWorks stages world premiere of 'A Little Princess'
By Julie O'Shea
Once again, there is pre-Broadway buzz surrounding a new TheatreWorks production.
This time the excitement envelops the world premiere of "A Little Princess," a new musical opening on Saturday at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts.
Based on the Frances Hodgson Burnett children's novel, "A Little Princess" chronicles the life of Sara Crewe, the daughter of a wealthy gentleman whose charmed life takes a dramatic turn when her father is tragically killed in action.
Much of the buzz surrounds the show's pedigree: score by Andrew Lippa ("The Wild Party"), book by Brian Crawley ("Violet"), scenery by Tony Award-winner Heidi Ettinger ("The Secret Garden"), lighting design by seven-time Tony nominee Paul Gallo and direction by Susan H. Schulman (Broadway's "The Secret Garden" and the upcoming "Little Women: The Musical").
Broadway reportedly has an eye on it, and if things go well in Mountain View, the musical could end up hitting the New York theater circuit relatively soon.
"I'm totally ready for it. There's been talk of that for years," said Crawley, who also penned the musical's lyrics.
Staging the first run here on the Peninsula is "just a strategic kind of thing," Crawley added. "They like to take it out of town and work out all the kinks before it hits the New York critics."
Bringing "A Little Princess" to Mountain View, however, happened somewhat by accident. Initially, when Crawley and Lippa were approached about doing the show, it was supposed to be geared toward an Australian audience, with the lead character being the father, not the little girl.
The reason: Four years ago, "Princess" director Schulman and set designer Ettinger had just finished staging another show together in Australia when producers there asked the duo if they had anything else in the works. Schulman and Ettinger promptly proposed adapting "A Little Princess" into a musical. The Aussies immediately loved the idea, but as time wore on, the deal to produce the show Down Under fell through.
TheatreWorks was the lucky beneficiary, placing the musical in its 35th season lineup.
"You always want to do the first (run) in a very nurturing environment, and we thought this was it," Schulman said.
Though much of "Little Princess'" riches-to-rags story remains the same, Crawley did change some elements. He decided to begin the tale in Africa and not India, the setting of Burnett's 1909 classic. He also opted to change the ending altogether, but promises loyal Burnett fans they won't be disappointed.
Theatergoers "are going to love the music," Schulman said. Just as easily, though, audiences are going to fall in love with 15-year-old Mackenzie Mauzy, who plays the show's young heroine.
More than 300 girls auditioned for the part of Sara Crewe before Mauzy, who's been acting since she was 5, was selected for the role.
"She just got it. She just knew it," Schulman said of her young lead. "Not too many girls can convincingly do period (pieces). They don't have the history."
Mauzy, however, "had a style about her that was very elegant," according to Schulman.
The actress, who was reluctantly trying to do homework during a rehearsal break last week, said she was delighted she was picked for the part.
"It's really great to originate a role," Mauzy said. "Sara's very strong-willed and compassionate. I like the character. She's very cool. And it's a great show for all ages."
@email:E-mail Julie O'Shea at joshea@mv-voice.com
What: TheatreWorks presents "A Little Princess," a new musical by Brian Crawley and Andrew Lippa, based on the book by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Where: Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St.
When: "A Little Princess" will preview tonight at 8 p.m. It will officially open on Saturday at 8 p.m. Regular show times are Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. (Aug. 31 and Sept. 7 only); Wednesdays through Fridays at 8 p.m.; Saturdays at 8 p.m. (additional 2 p.m. performances Sept. 4 and 18); Sundays at 2 p.m. (additional 7 p.m. performance Aug. 29; 7 p.m. only on Sept. 12). "Visual Voice" audio-described performances will take place Sept. 17-18 at 8 p.m. and Sept. 19 at 2 p.m. The show will run through Sept. 19.
Cost: Tickets are $20-$50; savings are available for youth, students, seniors and members.
Info: Call (650) 903-6000 or visit theatreworks.org.
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