Westfield Students Star In TROLLS Jr. Musical Premiere

WESTFIELD, NJ — Local students from Westfield, Cranford, Summit, Berkeley Heights and New Providence are among the stars to perform in TROLLS Jr. opening at the JCC Metrowest in West Orange from May 9 through 19.

Local students performing in the musical include:

• Dylan McMahon, 6, of Westfield
• Rylan Bowie, 14, of Westfield
• Hailey Simon, 14, of Berkeley Heights
• Brady McMahon, 11, of Westfield
• Ashleigh D'Alessandro, 15, of Westfield
• Grace Mundy, 14, of New Providence
• Grace Santos, 9, of Cranford
• Thomas McCartney, 10, of Cranford

Set after the events of the first film, audiences will return to Bergenland, where the Trolls love to sing, dance, and perform. 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.

The East Coast premiere event is being staged by Pixie Dust Players and is the latest in a long line of pilot productions that include CHILDREN OF EDEN JR. and HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON, JR.

Lindsay Maron, a Short Hills native and Florham Park resident, founded Pixie Dust Players 15 years ago when she was 13. The company was originally created to provide opportunities to young performers and deliver underserved populations more access to the arts. It has since grown into a formidable production company that has caught the attention of some industry titans.

Maron never strays from her core of making sure each show is not only a stellar theatrical experience, but one of inclusion and community.

"Some of my favorite rehearsal moments are not actually rehearsal moments, per se, but rather in watching the performers bond and develop friendships that will last long after the show has closed," she said. "I also love seeing the casts act as audience members for each other. Seeing all the love and support they give to their friends always makes me proud."

The enthusiasm Maron brings to the work has spilled over to her young charges as well.

Dylan McMahon, 6, is a Troll in the Sparkle cast. The Westfield student has been in SEUSSICAL, MULAN and trod the boards with the Performer's Theater Workshop.

"This show is so colorful and fun," McMahon said of the new work.

Rylan Bowie, the 14-year-old Westfield student who plays the baddie Marie Bergenette said working on the pilot has been an amazing learning experience.

"We have to be flexible and learn how to adapt to change," she said.

Another Westfield student, 14-year-old Hailey Simon describes her DJ Suki character in the Sparkles cast as "a vibrant troll with a love for a good beat."

She echoed Bowie's thoughts on adaptability.

"It is definitely weird but very fun," she said. "Finding out that you lines have changed in the middle of rehearsal is also very weird."

New Providence resident Grace Mundy, 14, who is playing a Scullery Maid in the Glitter Cast, said there are benefits to a new work over an established piece.

"Being part of a new piece made it feel like I was part of the creative process in putting on the show," she noted. "I enjoyed the anticipation of learning what the finish product would be."

Cranford's Grace Santos, 9, and Thomas McCartney, 10, have found fun characters to explore in the production.

Santos, who has played young Elsa in FROZEN and the Sour Kangaroo in SEUSSICAL has a clear favorite memory in the rehearsal process.

"I enjoyed learning all the music together," she said.

McCartney is Royal Guard Chad in the Glitter Cast, a loyal employee of King Gristle, and Royal Guard Todd’s best friend.

"I also play Extreme Announcer, a Bergen that makes every commercial as extreme as possible," he noted.

McCartney's counterpart in the Sparkles Cast is 10-year-old Travis Millman from Summit. Millman has a little more insight into his character.

"We are guards, but our true passion is acting," he said.

Millman's best pal in the show is Westfield's Brady McMahon, 11, who plays the oft-mentioned Todd in the Sparkles Cast.

McMahon said he knew the moment the show was going to be a success.

"My favorite rehearsal moment was when I first got to see everyone come together and run a rough version of the show I remember thinking, 'Wow!'" he said.

Rounding out the Union County cast is Westfield's Ashleigh D'Alessandro, 15, who is pulling double duty in a pair of roles in the Glitter Cast.

"I play Newscaster Smiley, an upbeat newscaster who has a lot of empathy for the Trolls," she said. "And a Scullery Maid, a shy and empathetic maid who tries to help people whenever possible."

According to Maron, audiences can expect to smile and laugh from start to finish with this upbeat, 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.

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