The Greenbelt Youth Musical is celebrating its 20th year with a brand-new, world-premiere musical that is both timeless and topical, because it focuses on democracy in peril. The show, Theseus and the Monster in the Maze, tells the spellbinding story of Theseus, the legendary founder and defender of Athenian democracy.
Theseus’ story is presented as a show-within-a-show in the production, which is set in a not-too-distant future, in which an autocratic leader has seized power and compelled all citizens to follow him on social media. Putting on a play about Theseus is thus an act of courage and defiance for the young heroes of the Resistance, who are seeking to restore democracy.
The play was written by Greenbelter Chris Cherry, who is also directing the show in his capacity as performing arts coordinator for the city. Cherry founded the Greenbelt Youth Musical program and has directed all of the productions.
“This play has been a special joy to write and direct,” said Cherry. “I have wanted to create a musical about Theseus for a long time, and now current events have made it important to tell his story.” He praised the cast of 34 teen actors who are featured in the production. “Rehearsing a brand-new show is quite different from doing a school production of an old Broadway musical. I make changes to the script and deliver additional songs week to week, which requires flexibility and patience on the part of the actors,” he said.
In return, the lead actors are showcased in parts that have been tailored to suit their particular talents. Following the casting rehearsal in mid-December, Cherry took two weeks off to hole up in New York and work intensively on the script, in order to align it with the casting. “You sometimes hear people speak of someone being born to play a certain role, but in our productions, it’s the roles that are born with the actors in mind,” he said.
The Greenbelt Youth Musical is an open enrollment program offered by the Recreation Department. Every young actor who enrolls is cast in the play.
Looking back over 20 years, Cherry said that the program has been a formative experience for a generation of young people.
“Our primary mission is to create and strengthen community, both among the cast and in the greater Greenbelt community for which we perform,” he stated. “In the process, we strive to present shows that are entertaining and uplifting. I feel confident that Theseus will give everyone a boost.”
Show dates and times for Theseus are Saturday, March 7 at 7 p.m.; Sunday, March 8 at 3 p.m.; and Saturday, March 14 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. All performances are at the Community Center, where tickets are already on sale. The box office phone number is 301-397-2208. Greenbelt Youth Musical performances regularly sell out, so advance purchase is strongly advised.