MLT Juniors Feature Two Plays, New Faces

Spring show includes both light-hearted and serious fare

By Bonnijean Cooney Adams
The Tube City Almanac
June 07, 2024
Posted in: Entertainment

Julia Rae Jackson as Tina Kenney shares her struggles, hopes and dreams in "Voices." (Bonnijean Cooney Adams photos for Tube City Almanac)

The alien cast of McKeesport Little Theater Juniors' production of "Are We There Yet?" aboard their space vehicle prepare to tour Earth with Tika Gill, standing, as their guide.

McKeesport Little Theater Juniors’ annual spring production showcases the talents of some of the newest members of the group, followed by tear-jerking performances from veterans.

Opening today (June 7), and running for just one weekend, the first play, called “Are We There Yet,” is short and full of lots of humorous moments as intergalactic tour guide Tika Gill shares her interpretation of places, events, and things on Earth with her latest clients.

The second play, while more serious, still has its lighter moments.

“I Will Sing Life: Voices from the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp” is a collage of writings and interviews with young people who attend the real Hole in the Wall Gang Camp founded by actor Paul Newman.

It is for young people with life-threatening conditions, and named for the gang led by the character Newman played in the movie “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.”

Three of the Juniors – Noah Bowtyz, Gill, and Julia Rae Jackson – are involved in both plays.

During preview night earlier this week, those actors and directors Dorothy Fallows and Candee Jackson, shared insights about the shows.

Both directors said the older, more-experienced Juniors indicated they wanted to do a spring play that challenged them as performers.

Nie'Zhay Jefferson as Pia Taylor (right) interacts with some of the ensemble campers whose performances support and enhance the main characters. (Bonnijean Cooney Adams photos for Tube City Almanac)

Fallows, who has been in charge of the Juniors program for many years, said the newcomers and veterans are doing a great job.

Referring to “Voices,” Fallows said the actors “tell a great story here. The opening speech is wonderful. We have a lot of good kids.”

Candee Jackson said she has stage managed and produced shows at McKeesport Little Theater, but this is her first time directing. She said she decided to take on that challenge with Fallows’ encouragement and support.

“The performers have to draw on their emotions,” Candee Jackson said about “Voices.” “It’s a very good challenge for them.”

In addition to the colorful intergalactic tour guide, Gill portrays Corey Svien in “Voices.” Her character is battling cancer.

While some of the younger cast may not get the funny references Gill’s tour guide makes to Crop Circles and Roswell, the audience should enjoy them.

“Tomorrow, we’ll be told we’re nothing but a weather balloon,” Gill quips.

Gill said her “Voices” character is an optimist and go-getter. As she shares her story with other campers, she pats her bald head and proclaims, “Touch this and die!”

Bowytz has plenty of comedic moments as the Old Man in “Are We There Yet?”, then portrays Joe Lopez in “Voices,” a young man with AIDS passed on to him through his mother.

Despite the seriousness of his condition, Bowytz continues to bring levity to his Lopez character, describing himself to fellow campers as “a heartbreaker.”

With other campers in the background, seated from left, Noah Bowytz as Joe Lopez and Bowie Koiser as Adam Jed listen to Lucas Sotereanos (standing) as Shawn Valdez share his story. (Bonnijean Cooney Adams photos for Tube City Almanac)

Bowytz said he’s always willing to do a fun show, so that attracted him to “Are We There Yet?” He and Gill said it was a good experience working with younger Juniors, some of them in their first show.

“I wanted to do the second play to get me out of my comfort zone,” Bowytz said. “This is probably my last Juniors show, and I wanted a challenge.”

Julia Rae Jackson, while a seasoned performer, took on a new role as stage manager for “Are We There Yet?”

“It was very nice to get my feet wet with this show,” she said. “I really like to be able to step into that role, even if it’s reading lines” to the cast.

In “Voices,” Julia Rae Jackson said her biggest challenge as Tina Kenney was balancing her soft spot with inner toughness.

In real life, she said she lost a young friend to cancer, so uses those memories in her portrayal.

Her advice to the audience? “Bring Kleenex for the sad parts, but it’s also about hope.”

With only seven main characters, “Voices” provides lots of opportunities for other cast members to shine, include the two camp counselors and all the campers.

During preview night, they could be seen offering physical and other support, including words and actions of encouragement, with plenty of time onstage.

As “Voices” unfolds, the characters reveal a variety of conditions.

Bowie Koiser as Adam Jed has one that is very rare. Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation causes abnormal blood clotting that can cut off normal blood supply to extremities, or even vital organs.

The cast of "I Will Sing Life: Voices from the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp" depict the variety of activities such as fishing, archery, and boating available to campers despite facing multiple illnesses and conditions.

Koiser very convincingly performs in a wheelchair to emphasize the seriousness of that condition, which can lead to amputations.

While the medical conditions can seem overwhelming, the counselors are upbeat as they prepare to welcome new campers, who say they are excited to be at a different camp where they still can have new experiences and master new things.

Nie’Zhay Jefferson’s character Pia Taylor has Sickle Cell Disease, which has led her to long hospitalizations and feelings of isolation. Yet she finds pleasure in simple things, including a dandelion.

A bone marrow transplant has helped camper Shawn Valdez, played by Lucas Sotereanos, in his fight with leukemia. He shares what he has gone through, yet always lends a sympathetic ear when others share their own experiences.

Hadassah Cardaro as Katie Martin explains she always wanted to be a gymnast, but now her condition prevents it.

“Right side roars, left side does not work,” she proclaims. “My left side has been left behind.”

Hadassah Cardaro as Katie Martin gets support from other campers as she discusses her condition and obstacles.

While the medical conditions can seem depressing, the actors as campers laugh and tease each other as they enjoy some of the usual summer activities, such as archery, fishing, and boating.

They also talk about their families -- whether parents, siblings, grandparents, or their camp friends – who have supported them through all the medical procedures and given them hope.

In “Voices,” the young actors had to dig deep within themselves to portray their characters, and based on the preview night, they have done so successfully.

As far as Julie Rae Jackson’s advice on bringing Kleenex, that’s definitely a good idea.

Bonnijean Cooney Adams is a freelance contributor. She can be reached at adamsclick@aol.com.

Cast and Crew

“I Will Sing Life: Voices from the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp”

Maggie Badstibner as Counselor 1
Rasheena Carson as Counselor 2
Bowie Koiser as Adam Jed
Noah Bowytz as Joe Lopez
Nie’Zhay Jefferson as Pia Taylor
Tika Gill as Corey Svien
Lucas Sotereanos as Shawn Valdez
Julia Rae Jackson as Tina Kenney
Hadassah Cardaro as Katie Martin

Campers: Olivia Haskins, Khyla McKenith, Nakaylee Watson, Sophia Gill, Amelia Atkins, Megan Bowytz

“Are We There Yet?”

Tour Guide, Tika Gill
Mother, Khyla McKenith
Daughter, Destini Banks
Old Man, Noah Bowytz
Old Woman, Olivia Haskins
Adventurous Traveler 1, Sophia Gill
Adventurous Traveler 2, Nakaylee Watson
Stage Manager, Julia Rae Jackson

Directed by Candee Jackson and Dorothy Fallows
Produced by Jan Gerber
Jessi Freuden, light/sound tech
Dave Fleming, set construction
George Schlicht, lighting design

Originally published June 07, 2024.

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