WBBT artistic director and founder Nate Jacobs is sending children to adult audiences Rockin‘ Down Fairy Tale Lane with the help of the troupe’s Joey James. Editing the musical comedy’s book has made all the difference to an earlier version and brought a good lesson for all. It’s that everyone who goes beyond self will be joined together with others in good spirits, here exemplified in song and dance. I can’t remember a time when everyone in a relatively large cast was as perfect as everyone on stage and the musicians off stage in WBTT’s summer ’18 show. In addition to astute direction by Jacobs and right choreography by Donald Frisson, the Fairytalettes—Khalifa White, Ashley D. Brooks, and Cherise James--appear throughout to hold everything together with style. Of course, they’re blessed by a dancing pink Fairy, Topaz von Wood. Living up to their professional reputations, Earley Dean gets laughs as a self-important Prince Charming, and Ariel Blue is the witchy Drucella who’d like to get him for her own. Even though she’s far from as ugly as she’s described, Ariel doesn’t stand a chance in the princess-to-be competition when Jai Shanae’s adorable Snow White is available. Ariel’s Drucella does pair well, though, with Joey James’s avid Wolfie. Perhaps the biggest surprise is the professional performance of the “littlest” actor-singer Samuel Waite as Jack (of Beanstalk fame). He reminds, talent-wise, of the young Michael Jackson but has his own sweet personality. Renata Eastlick does triple duty as mom to Jack and to Alitash Tafesse’s spoiled Goldilocks, and as a witch. Tripling as piglets and bears, Derric Gobourne Jr., Joshua Thompson, and Fred Taylor are funny and well made up in their different roles. Henry Washington is believable as a Dwarf, even if a bit taller than expected. No scenic artist is mentioned in the program for the leaf-filled tree that serves well as a forest background and thing to climb. Annette Breazeale’s props importantly set different scenes or are used for everything from wands to beanbags. Angela Franklin-Mayo’s costumes, as usual at WBTT, are fit and of outstanding quality. Kudos for the musicians and their director. Sound design in general is appropriate but in execution over-miked during musical numbers. Michael Pasquini contributes his usual fine design for the much-varied lighting.
