Immediately upon entering the Hanaway Theater, I knew “Just So” was going to be a performance to remember. My eyes met elusive lighting projections and elaborately painted backdrops adorned with bright shades of green and fuchsia. The attractive set enthralled my senses, creating palpable anticipation for the show that was about to begin.
When the show began, I had no idea what was happening. All I gathered was a bedtime story about animals coming to life. But I didn’t care. The enchanting set captivated my attention far more than the storyline itself. The bright colors and detailed background blended beautifully with the tiered set. I found myself lost in a whimsical jungle, serenaded by angelic voices emerging from the ornate stage. This experience is a gift from producer Matt Kizer, who is also the decorated resident lighting and scenic designer of Plymouth State’s theatre program. Enchanted by his work in “Just So, ” I decided to explore his creative process and inspirations on his website, scenicandlighting.com. If you enjoyed the visual atmosphere of the show, I highly recommend checking out this resource! Matt shares his blueprints for both stage design and projection templates. He reveals that the physical set and backdrops were heavily influenced by the post-impressionist French painter Henri Rousseau. Matt and assistant set designer Beck Leininger executed the style and tone of Rousseau with a unique flair that perfectly encapsulated the bizarre fantasy of the show. Their visions would not have come to life without the hard work carried out by the 16 credited painters of the project.
It would be a travesty to neglect the costumes created by Daneé Gosselin and Abby Evans. The whimsical but simple costumes for each character translated well with the ornate set. Each animal had their distinct colors and silhouettes, while keeping every costume in harmony with one another. The relatively simple designs stood out just enough from the bright colors and vibrant patterns of the set while maintaining visual prevalence and distinction. After all, the main aspect of this show was the set and intricate lighting. The utilization of wigs, feathers, and a plethora of textures brought each costume together.
Special projects for costumes for “Just So” were created by Samm Johnson. She showcased great talent for creating elaborate costumes seemingly out of thin air. She is credited with creating the stove costume worn by Ian Manning in his scenes with Parsee the Baker (Noah Alers-Alers). My jaw dropped when Ian first emerged on stage wearing the intricately designed suit. The paint texture, alongside the realistic proportions, truly made the costume appear to be an actual wood-burning oven. If that wasn’t enough, Samm designed the stove door to open and close to mimic a moving mouth! The contraption was controlled by Ian’s hand pushing the door open and pulling it shut. It’s not often that audience members know what a costume is depicting right away, so props to Samm and Daneé!
Similarly, the magical atmosphere of “Just So” was influenced by incredible vocal and orchestral performances overseen by music director Harmony Markey and conductor Justin McCarthy. Fantastic singing performances occurred throughout the show, most notably by lead cast members such as Jack Downey (Eldest Magician) and fan favorites Joie Lynch (Kolokolo Bird) and Noah Alers-Alers (Parsee the Baker). Joie Lynch consistently showcased her incredible vocals and stamina throughout the show, but brought the heat with her solo performance of “Wait a Bit”. Her powerful voice illustrated a tale of debilitating self-criticism, a struggle that many audiences can relate to.
In my opinion, the standout performance of the night was Noah Alers-Alers as Parsee the Baker. I was shocked to read that Noah is only in his first year of vocal lessons! His voice is incredible! I wish I could hear his performance of “The Parsee Cake Walk” one more time, it was that good. His fantastic vocals and captivating stage presence established him as a fan favorite. Not many people can juggle maintaining an accent while sustaining superb comedic timing and delivery, all while singing! Watching Noah on stage, it is clear he has a knack for comedy, singing, and a genuine passion for the performing arts. If you love beautiful scenery and incredible singing, “Just So” is the show for you! If that statement wasn’t compelling enough, consider the massive standing ovation the cast received at the end of the program. Each cast and crew member showcased their hard work, dedication, and talent throughout the show. Director Fran Page assembled a fabulous group of performers and creatives to put on a solid show.
