Kids are the stars in this high-energy program that follows a group of fifth-grade theater club students from Yung Wing Public School in New York’s Chinatown as they audition, rehearse, and perform an adaptation of Disney’s Frozen.
Chosen as the pilot group to perform the musical after winning national honors at the Junior Theater Festival in Atlanta, the effervescent Asian-American kids are in their final year of elementary school before splitting up to attend a cross-section of middle schools in the city.
In addition to watching the students prepare for the musical, viewers are treated to footage of the youngsters at home with family and friends, “horsing” around at school, and speaking directly to the camera as they respond to some wide-ranging topics, including stereotypes; one boy says it’s perceived that Asian Americans are “horrible at acting.”
The chronologically arranged program counts down the months and final days in preparation for the musical and highlights the dedicated work of choreographers Hannah Balagot and Kyle Garvin and music teacher Ryan Olsen. When Mr. Olsen announces he is leaving at the end of the school year because his wife accepted a college teaching job in another state, the profound affection and sadness emanate from the kids and their beloved teacher.
Directed by Hui tong and Kelly Ng, the program occasionally meanders a bit to highlight school career day, a group outing to the city, and footage in Chinatown, but it always comes back to the students’ experiences, feelings, and motivations. This joyful production works as both entertainment for adults and youthful audiences and potential discussion material about the role of arts in schools, diversity, inclusion, and family expectations. College and university price is $129. Highly Recommended. Aud: I, J, H, P.