Eugene weekly., June 30, 2011, Page 33, Image 33

theater
BY ANNA GRACE
A Mind is a Terrible
Thing to Trade
ACE stages world premier of Changing Minds
A
driven, ambitious young woman
wishes with her entire heart that
the hottest guy/biggest slacker in
school could see what a waste he’s made
of his life. A chill, charming young gent
pleads that the uptight, Future First Citizen
of Fussypants open her eyes to the fact that
she needs to get a life.
They do.
Mind you, if this anti-couple hadn’t
been standing before an enchanted
wishing well cursed centuries earlier by
doomed lovers, there’s no way their minds
could have transported magically into one
another’s bodies. Obviously. But this is
musical theater.
David Howard and Bret Simmons set out
to write a musical that will appeal to middle
and high school performers. Scraping off the
Disney patina that coats the genre, Howard
and Simmons have written Changing
Minds, a rock musical that addresses high
school politics, human connections and
gender roles, all while maintaining the
family-friendly atmosphere.
In many ways, this is a perfect school
musical. It requires no orchestra, only
a small rock band easily culled from a
nearby garage. The cast is large, and there
are several very interesting roles. Among
my favorites of the secondary characters
are Freddy (Eric Blanchard) and Shelly
(Tracey Pacana), two bespectacled dweebs
on the cusp of romance singing “Download
My Love” to the doo-wops of the computer
lab geeks. Goth-boy Garrett (Mark Van
Beever) sees a conspiracy in everything
and launches into a Thriller-like song
and dance with “Supernatural.” All in all,
there are 13 real roles that get to sing —
aspiring young actors across America, say
hallelujah!
The two lead roles are delightfully
challenging. Imagine the fun Sophie
Mitchell has playing Natalie as she presents
her “conspicuously ambitious” book report
about rebel women from the past who
“stick it to the man.” Then think about how
much more fun it gets after a paranormal
brain switch fi nds her employing the walk
and facial expressions of an 18-year-old
skater dude used to getting what he wants.
Trevor Eichorn is funny as Kyle, a
slacker who’s made an art of managing to
get out of everything. But he’s downright
soulful in a man’s body overtaken by a
woman’s mind, singing a beautiful song,
“Being Me,” about being smart and driven
in an attempt to be popular and fi nd a
boyfriend at the cost of her own identity.
Of course, all of this brain switching
opens questions about gender roles, along
with some age-appropriate lessons about
being one’s self, accepting help from
others and doing the right thing.
There are times in Changing Minds
where Simmons and Howard totally nail
teen angst, like the opening scene of
Natalie awaiting a scholarship letter that
will decide her fate: future U.S. Senator
or shoe sales clerk. Then there are a few
parts that are just too cheeseball. And if
I’m rolling my eyes, how will those lines
strike your world-weary tween?
I, and perhaps many students, would
prefer more of an edge to the story and a
little less required suspension of disbelief.
At the script’s most authentic moments,
you can feel the energy shift, and the kids
on stage just go for it. When it pigeonholes
them into stereotypes, they play to
expectations.
Ultimately, Howard and Simmons have
worked to create a play that will appeal to
students and the brave souls who step forth
to direct them. They’ve done their research,
listening to the needs of directors and the
advice of their own teenage children.
Changing Minds is being staged at ACE
to work out the kinks before a fi nal copy
is handed over to the publisher. What’s
needed now is an audience of kids to judge
that work. I had a great time watching the
talented young people of the cast belt out
fun, new songs and work the kooky plot
to a resolution. Will kids? Grab a ticket for
your favorite human between the ages of
10 and 20 and fi nd out.
ew
Changing Minds runs at Actors Cabaret of Eugene June
24-July 23; tickets and info at www.actorscabaret.org
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