The new, original play from Miners Alley centers around one girl’s mission to build a dog park
Miners Alley kicks off its 2024 Theatre for Young Audiences season with a home-grown musical titled Amelia’s Big Idea. In the title role is Zeah Edmonds as Amelia Smart — a 10-year-old girl who gets her big idea when she notices an old building being torn down in her hometown of Townsville.
Given that her dog Gadget (David Speechley) doesn’t have a good yard to play in, she thinks maybe the space now cleared would be a good place for a dog park. So, when a construction worker (played by Aaron Szindler) tells her it’s the property of the town, she starts a letter-writing campaign to the mayor (Emma Ackerman) to push her idea.
With the first kids’ show in the new Miners Alley Performing Arts Center, director Jenna Moll Reyes has plenty of room to work with — not to mention much improved light and sound. A highly serviceable set by Jonathan Scott-McKean gives the cast all the pieces-parts they need to create a variety of scenes, with a few unexpected stops along the way.
As the precocious, high-energy Amelia, Edmonds is a delight as she sings her way from scene to scene pursuing her goal. At first, she thinks she can win the day by virtue of her persistence and her plans for a wondrous dog park with drinking fountains, Wi-Fi, a juice bar and other trappings. But when Mayor Meeks finally agrees to meet her and explains the slow-moving bureaucracy it’d take to create such a project (in a funny song about “red tape”), she starts to appreciate that it’ll take more than a big idea of her own to get it done. (My granddaughter summed up as a story about teamwork.)
Edmonds plays only Amelia, while the other three actors take on numerous roles and play a variety of instruments. Speechley is a hoot as Amelia’s dog, as well as a kindly librarian who helps her brush up on things she needs to know. Szindler gets to play a reporter, a delivery guy and a somewhat-helpful robot named Ginormous. Ackerman handles the flute as well as a key character named Mrs. Bastian.
A perfect compromise
Turns out the town’s older generation also has its eyes on the site for a new senior center. When Amelia gets outvoted at a town council meeting, she leaves in despair but is followed by Mrs. Bastian. Together they come up with an idea to create a simplified dog park alongside the senior center, with the big lesson about cooperation being the theme of the show.
The script by MAP Education Director Heather Beasley with Richie Cannaday and Edie Carey is a ton of fun and covers a lot of ground in the 60-minute production. Compared to some other kids’ shows, this one is a bit more layered. At one point Amelia’s story is intercut with an entire scene about a family of mice that she’s watching on TV. With suggested ages being 4-12, there are certainly some parts that will sail right over the heads of the younger ones, but the peppy, clever songs, constant movement and bright colors are plenty to keep them interested.
All told, Amelia’s Big Idea is a fresh, engaging addition to MAP’s always-stellar lineup of live theatre for young audiences. It’s a lively and funny tale that will keep them from squirming in their seats too much, and it includes several chances for the braver kids to join the cast onstage.
Amelia’s Big Idea plays through Feb. 10 and returns for another run from March 9-April 6, so there’s plenty of opportunities to see it. And don’t forget that great little ice cream shop across the street in downtown Golden!
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