“Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds”

***** Today, I felt very alone as I headed into the Greenhouse Theatre Center on Lincoln Avenue. Both Anna and Thomasso were doing other things, and I was without a youngster to add the viewpoint of a child to the review. I did meet a family that was there, a mother, father, grandfather and two young ones, and they agreed to send me information on their feelings of the show that we viewed,Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds” written by his daughter Cedella Marley and using his music and lyrics.

This production, under the direction of Randy White ( along with co-director/choreographer Tuedai B. Perry) is a charming one hour musical with a sterling cast of players who move well, sing well and know how to play a young audience. The playwright, Michael J. Bobbitt has taken the story by Marley and converted it nicely into one that will hold the attention of both young and older audiences. It is suggested 4 and older, but depending on your child, you might have a three year old and have them enjoy the music and dancing.

The story takes place in Jamaica on a wonderful set designed by Lauren Helpern. Our main character is Ziggy ( well played by Blake Dupree) who appears to be afraid of everything. This includes tropical storms, spiders, the ocean and Duppy ( (Bryan Nicholas Carter) who is after his hair. It seems that if Duppy gets his hair, he will become stronger. Ziggy would prefer to stay in the house and watch the TV for news of hurricanes or bad weather. His best friend is a bird, Doctor Bird ( played to perfection by Winter Olamina).

His mother, Cedella ( deftly handled by Sonia Goldberg, who also plays other roles-as do most of the other performers in this cast. In fact, it is only Dupree and Olamina that do not). The other ensemble members are Michah Mixon and Brynne London who plays Nansi, who becomes a true friend to Ziggy when she helps save him from the hands of Duppy. Evidently there is a counting number that makes evil go away and we end up with a very happy ending.

There are special moments in this production when the actors mix in with the audience and the show becomes somewhat immersive. This does add something special for those that end up being involved. I know that I have watched versions of “Cinderella” when they try the slipper on little ones inn the audience and those little ones will never forget that moment. I am sure that when Nansi was hiding in the row behind me, those fans had a special moment that will last for years to come.

The tech parts of this production are quite strong. This is a fairly new theater company and so far they have shown hos strong they are. The Young People’s Theatre of Chicago knows how to put on a show. The music was right on cue ( Cameron Tragesser), Janelle Smith’s costumes were adorable ( and the actors were able to make some very quick changes), the sound ( Kurt Ottiinger 0 and lighting ( Kevin Rechner) and props ( Nicholas Bartleson) were all well done. The accents sure sounded Jamaican thanks t dialect coaching by Shadana Patterson and last , but not least, the projections by Mike Price, added to the overall production.

My “helpers” today were a brother and sister, Mika (8) and her brother Kian (5). They are becoming theater people having just seen “Cinderella”, “The Addams Family” and “Matilda”.

They both enjoyed the performance today, with Mika saying “The Title was “Three Little Birds”. I thought the background ( the set and the colorful objects, I believe) was terrific. The music was not my kind of music, and the energy of the actors was really good”.

As one sitting behind these children, I could see that they were glued into the action, smiling and having fun.

Thank you Mika and Kian.