Mendham Student Stars As TROLLS Jr. Musical Has East Coast Premiere In NJ

MENDHAM, NJ — A Mendham student is among several young Morris County actors starring in the East Coast premiere of "TROLLS the Musical Jr.," which opens Thursday in West Orange.

The Pixie Dust Players are partnering with DreamWorks Theatricals and Music Theatre International to pilot this brand-new production, running on select dates from May 9 through May 19 at JCC Metrowest.

There are two casts (Glitter and Sparkle), with students from Randolph, Mount Olive, and Mine Hill also in the casts. Mendham's Mackenzie Reff will play the optimistic, determined protagonist Poppy in the Glitter Cast, which has shows on May 9, 12, and 18.

"TROLLS Jr." is set after the events of the first film, with the audience returning to Bergenland amidst the performance-loving band of trolls. As the Players describe it:

"Trouble brews when a strict foreign emissary threatens to disrupt their cheerful world. With the threat of being turned into a diplomatic dish by a vengeful Chef looming over them, Poppy and her friends must revamp their show to meet the high expectations. As the Trolls scramble to make last-minute changes, King Gristle juggles his royal duties, his blossoming romance with Bridget, and the demands of a spoiled aristocrat with a bottomless appetite."

This is not the first pilot production for the Pixie Dust Players, and Reff said she has enjoyed tackling something that has never been done before.

"It adds a lot of excitement to the process," Reff said in a press release about the production. "I loved reuniting with past cast mates at the first rehearsal and meeting new talented friends as well."

Florham Park resident Lindsay Maron, who founded the Pixie Dust Players 15 years ago (at the age of 13), will direct TROLLS Jr. The Players have piloted several other works, including "Children of Eden Jr." and Dreamworks' "HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON, Jr."

Maron, a native of Short Hills, said that mounting a new work is both challenging and exciting.

"We get to be one of the first to bring the show to life and be a part of developing the future of the title," she said. "Both the creative team and the actors get to create the show from scratch without the influence of other productions.

"On the other hand, it means that we are building everything from the ground up — from design, to costumes, to storytelling," Maron continued. "Because the script and score are still in development, it also means that sometimes scenes and songs are still in draft form and we need to be ready for changes at any time."

Other Morris County actors in the production include:

• Mine Hill's Jasper Fernandes, who plays the Advisor in the Glitter Cast
• Randolph's Natalie Crespolini, who plays Bridget in the Glitter Cast
• Mt. Olive's Sophia Salyerds, who plays Newcaster Stern in the Sparkle Cast
• Mt. Olive's Lily Salyerds, who is part of the Trolls Ensemble in the Sparkle Cast

Maron said audiences can expect to smile and laugh from start to finish during this upbeat and heartwarming show.

"The songs are incredibly catchy, the story is fun and new, and our performers are singing and dancing their hearts out," she said. "It is a great show for audiences of all ages, with a little something for everyone."

TROLLS, JR. runs May 9, May 11, May 16 and May 18 at 7:30 p.m. and May 12 and May 19 at 2:30 p.m. at the JCC MetroWest Maurice Levin Theater at 760 Northfield Avenue, West Orange NJ. Tickets are $25, and the casts alternate beginning with the Glitter Cast on May 9 and closing with the Sparkle Cast on May 19.

TROLLS, JR features music & lyrics by Joriah Kwamé Book & additional lyrics by Krista Knight. This pilot production is presented through a special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI) and DreamWorks Theatricals.