Lost in the Solar System

The Magic School Bus

Ms. Frizzle’s class is in session again and, as everyone knows, she loves teaching science and social studies with a very hands-on approach. Instead of sitting in the classroom and reading textbooks, The Friz, as she’s called, enjoys taking her students out of the school and off on field trips to explore their subjects firsthand. Today’s lesson is about the Solar System, so Ms. Frizzle’s class eagerly boards the Magic School Bus and heads toward the planetarium. However, on the way, this dedicated instructor finds she’s become lost. But never fear: Ms. Frizzle just presses a button to rev up the engine and the bus turns into a rocket ship. Suddenly the class is blasting off into outer space for a real intergalactic experience!

Published in 1990 by Scholastic Books, this fourth installment of The Magic School Bus series was written by Joanna Cole and Bruce Degen. Probably the best known adventure in the entire series, this is the inspiration for Marriott’s new, out-of-this-world family musical. THE MAGIC SCHOOL BUS: LOST IN THE SOLAR SYSTEM combines science with inventive storytelling. It became the very first episode on PBS Television when the books were transformed into an animated series. This dynamic musical comedy aimed at Young Audiences features a clever book by Marshall Pailet and a toe-tapping musical score and lyrics by Matthew Lee Robinson.

The musical is pretty realistic in its depiction of a class of youngsters who don’t always get along. Arnold complains about how his Summer Vacation was ruined by his know-it-all cousin, Janet. Arnold’s best friend Ralphie, who’s lazy and always hungry, tries to get out of class assignments the easy way. Carlos is the class clown and is forever making bad jokes out of everything. His gal pal, Wanda, gets frustrated with her classmate and just desperately wants to meet some aliens. But when Ms. Frizzle tells the class they’ll be welcoming a new student, it turns out to be Arnold’s arch nemesis, Janet. Thus the bickering begins and continues throughout the play.

This imaginative, energetic and very theatrical musical takes young audiences from the Earth to the Moon, then on to the Sun, Mercury, Venus and Mars. The class is suddenly bombarded with meteors when the bus veers off into the Asteroid Belt. But the real trouble occurs when, while attempting to repair the bus in outer space, Ms. Frizzle’s tether line breaks and she floats away. Suddenly the class finds they have to join forces and pull together in order for the children to rescue their beloved teacher.  

The production is dynamically Directed and colorfully Choreographed by talented Marriott Associate Artistic Director Katie Johannigman. The marvelous Musical Direction comes courtesy of Ellie Kahn, set to a prerecorded score. So fast-paced, this 60-minute one-act musical absolutely defies gravity and positively flies by. Ms. Johannigman has drawn the very best out of her six actors and makes excellent use of the arena stage, as well as the aisles.

This delectable cast is a sparkling constellation of stars. 

Abby C. Smith makes her outstanding Marriott debut as the iconic Ms. Frizzle. An outgoing personality coupled with a magnificently trained voice and great  comic timing, we hopefully will see a lot more of this vivacious actress in the near future. Ms. Smith appeared in THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL on Broadway, and was recently enjoyed in THE FULL MONTY at Paramount. Her class is comprised of a glorious galaxy of talent. Will Koski (INTO THE WOODS at Paramount, THE SECRET GARDEN at Theo Ubique) is perfect as perfectionist student Arnold. This young man has the comic chops and the voice of an angel. As his rival, the egotistical cousin Janet, Emily Ann Brooks is simply sensational, returning to the Marriott stage after memorable appearances in HELLO DOLLY and THE MUSIC MAN. 

The always great and goofy Garrett Lutz brings Ralphie to life in a way that no one else could. Garrett has been seen at the Marriott in countless shows, like DAMN YANKEES, NEWSIES and GREASE, as well as TYA shows like JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH and SHREK. Tommy Rivera-Vega, whose presence nightly in JOSEPH is unbelievably polished, delivers another great professional performance as junior jokester, Carlos.  He was last seen in DON’T LET THE PIGEON DRIVE THE BUS and IN THE HEIGHTS. And Rachel Armstrong, another gifted triple-threat is making her auspicious Marriott debut as Wanda. She’s been seen in regional productions of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST and MISS BENNETT: CHRISTMAS AT PEMBERLEY.  

In addition, every Theatre for Young Audiences production has the added technical challenge of being performed on the same basic stage setting as the main production. In this case the show currently running is JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT. Scenic Designer Milo Bue has nicely adapted Jeffrey D. Kmiec’s excellent original JOSEPH Scenic Design. Working closely with Lighting Designer Megan Wines, who has repurposed Jesse Klug’s Lighting for JOSEPH, have together brilliantly created an impressive celestial environment that works perfectly for both musicals. The multicolor, lacy origami stars, suspended above the space, light up in different colors throughout the play. Three of the walls that separate the seating area from the main aisles are completely lined with a myriad of moving colored lights. In JOSEPH these lights are primarily used in the finale, but in THE MAGIC SCHOOL BUS they nicely provide the motion of the magical rocket-powered vehicle. And watch for the bubbles that float throughout the theatre; identify, if you can, the nine planets that are suspended above the stage; and watch out for the meteors that fall from the sky while in the Asteroid Belt.

Adding so much to this production, Leo Bassow’s inventive and creative Property Designs add plenty of magic, particularly the mobile schoolroom desks that unite to form the titular Magic School Bus. Amanda Vander Byl’s wonderfully cosmic Costumes, especially Ms. Frizzle’s adaptable wardrobe ensemble, are funny, filled with detail and color. Notice that she’s even included Liz the Dragon, perched high upon the teacher’s shoulder. And Miguel A. Armstrong’s whimsical Wig, Hair and Makeup Designs add an out-of-this-world touch to each character.

With THE MAGIC SCHOOL BUS, The Marriott Theatre continues its stellar reputation for quality, polished and professional productions. This not only includes their main stage musicals, but a variety of excellent 60-minute shows each season for Young Audiences. Every children’s production always concludes with a short question-and-answer session, during which the cast introduces themselves and fields enquiries about how the production came together.

 Always featuring some of Chicagoland’s finest acting/singing/dancing talent, guided and staged by directors with boundless imagination and vision and supported by theatrical technical artists, whose gift for creation knows no limits, the Marriott Theatre is one of Chicago’s greatest venues for entertainment. And THE MAGIC SCHOOL BUS: LOST IN THE SOLAR SYSTEM is among the finest family productions this venue has ever offered. Don’t miss it!      

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented February 21-March 9 by Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, IL.

Tickets are available in person at the box office, by calling 847-634-0200 or by going to www.MarriottTheatre.com.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.