The adventure follows two aspiring young thespians named Brooke and Zeke as they embark on a likely-haunted middle school play at Woods Mill Middle School. Strange occurrences keep disrupting rehearsals of the musical, which is rumored to be cursed. The school is buzzing as students wonder if these interruptions are coincidence, some kind of joke, or the curse of The Phantom for real.
Woods Mill Middle School teacher, Ms. Walker (Marcie Millard) remains undeterred and picks the perfect stars for her show in students Brooke (Yuka Sekine) and Zeke (Branden Cleveland). Together, with their fellow classmates, Tina (Meg Harkins), Emile (Timothy Whitson), Brian (Russell E. Alexander II) and Brooke’s understudy (Chloe Kay), they follow the clues to try to solve the mystery. The quick-paced adventure keeps the audience in suspense until the end.
The creative set transports you back to the classroom to include an imaginative ride on the school elevator that takes students into the basement of the school. Scene transitions are seamless, the music and lyrics is entertaining for young audiences, and the lighting effects and fog help to set the spooky mood throughout the performance.
The production is directed by Jaclyn Hofmann, musical direction by Ann-Carol Pence, and choreography by Jen MacQueen. The book and lyrics by John Maclay, and music and lyrics by Danny Abosch, are adapted from Goosebumps: Phantom of the Auditorium by R.L. Stine.
I encourage you to see this production and support these wonderful players. The diverse cast is engaging, each holding the young audience’s attention. With a chill in the air that sends a shiver up your spine, it’s the perfect time of year to see this haunting and thrilling production.
Goosebumps: Phantom of the Auditorium, The Musical, a part of the Aurora’s Learning Library, is playing a limited public engagement from October 19 – October 22. There are six shows: Thursday, 10/19 at 7pm; Friday, 10/20 at 7pm; Saturday, 10/21 at 2:30pm & 7pm; and Sunday 10/22 at 2:30pm & 4:30pm. Ticket prices are $10 (child under 12 years old) and $15 (adult). The Aurora Theatre is located at 128 E. Pike Street, Lawrenceville, Georgia, 30045.
Aurora Theatre’s Learning Library series is educational outreach that provides school groups the opportunity to experience fully-staged professional productions performed on the Aurora Theatre mainstage on weekday mornings. An online study guide and post-show activities, developed by Aurora Theatre’s 2017-2018 Apprentice Company and Jaclyn Hofmann, Director of Education, are available at http://www.auroratheatre.com/education/learning-library-goosebumps.
For more information about the Aurora Theatre, call (678) 226-6222 or visit http://www.auroratheatre.com.
