Somers Middle School presents 'Moana Jr.'

Make way for the tropical adventure of Disney’s Moana Jr., brought to life at Somers Middle School Friday, May 6, at 6:30pm, and Saturday, May 7, at 2pm, with performances continuing for a second week of shows May 13 at 6:30pm and May 14 at 2pm.

In its fifth season, Somers Middle School Theater presents Moana Jr., illuminating individuals’ power to overcome obstacles and transcend the limits of others’ expectations.

In the village of Motunui, Moana (Isabelle McKoy), daughter of the village chief (Brady Fried), thirsts for the horizon and a chance to explore and escape the confines of her little island, where a mysterious destructive influence has begun to blacken daily life. Passing on the torch of voyaging ancestors (Hunter Mitchell, Melody Hantz, Kayleigh Murray, Adelaide Rivera, Kylie Stednitz, Oliver Eklund, and Nolan Shaffer), Moana’s grandmother (McKenzie Murray) inspires her to begin a quest to right nature’s imbalance, crossing into the unknown. On the way, she’ll have to recruit demigod Maui (Anna Bain) to restore the power of creation and outsmart the deviously opulent crustacean Tomatoa (Keelan Moore), whose glamorously monstrous claws (Madilyn Bain and Savannah Hutcherson) threaten to snatch the heart right out of her quest.

Additional roles are played by Katelyn Thompson, Giovanna Dragon, Zaria McDowell, Brylee Pickering, Alexa Correll, Allen Curtin, Collin Lincoln, Essence Burdick, Kadence Corrigan, Addison Oyler, Noelle Morrison, Madison Bonnett, Ellie Norton, and Charles DaMitz. Alex Lard, Jake Milone, Kira Parmele, and Mia Howard are crew.

Although numerous hours and tidal waves of energy have been put into this captivating show, the student performers and crew have learned more valuable lessons than how to act or manage lights.

“I have learned that if you put dedication and hard work into making this play be the best it can be, you end up being more confident in yourself and the people around you,” Sixth grader Savannah Hutcherson said.

“Theatre is very important to me. I love to act like a different person on stage, and it has helped my confidence rise,” Eighth grader Katelyn Thompson said.

Asked why she enjoys theater, seventh grader Anna Bain explained, “People aren’t always what they seem, and digging deep down into your character to try to find the best way to show it isn’t always easy, but sometimes we need to know that the world doesn’t revolve around ourselves. It revolves around billions of characters that surround us. That’s what I like about theater.”

Hear the call to adventure May 6 and 13 at 6:30pm and May 7 and 14 at 2pm at Somers Middle School. Contact the front office for ticket availability.