The Rose's Teens 'N' Theater Presents a Tongue-in-Cheek Tribute to the Roaring 20s BUGSY MALONE JR.

Featuring a catchy, swinging score and an abundance of tongue- in-cheek humor, Bugsy Malone Jr. is good, clean, comedic fun. The second show in The Rose's Teens 'N' Theater season runs Nov. 1 - 2, 2014, and features 22 Omaha area students in an energetic musical that pokes fun at 1920s gangster flicks.

Bugsy Malone Jr. is every child's dream come true: a shoot'-em-up gansters show where no one gets hurt and everyone gets to play tough. Add in a few "splurge blaster" guns which spew forth silly string and a couple of whipped cream pies, and you have a recipe for madcap fun!

"Everything in the show is tweaked to be fit for kids," says actress Imani Lamar, an eighth-grader at King Science Magnet Middle School. "For example, in the speakeasy, we sell the outlawed chocolate milk. It's all just really funny."

A cast of young actors ranging from third grade to tenth grade channel their inner "Little Rascals" to tell the story of the rivalry between Fat Sam, the owner of one of the most popular clubs in town, and Dandy Dan, who wants to shut him down. When baby- faced Bugsy Malone is thrust not-so-willingly into the gangster limelight, he becomes the last chance Fat Sam's gang has of surviving.

Although Bugsy Malone Jr. tackles some heady issues like Prohibition and gang wars, the show addresses the topics in an innocent, kid-friendly way, mixed with a good dose of humor. The show is a light-hearted musical spoof of rival gangs, chorus girls, would-be starlets and a variety of down-and-out characters.

"While we are having a lot of messy fun with this show, Bugsy Malone Jr. is also an entertaining way to explore Prohibition and the Roaring Twenties in a theatrically safe setting," says co- director Kathryn Stahl. "Students have been learning about the culture, the music, the dance and the politics of the era, all while having a lot of fun," adds co-director Nicole Korpela.

Throughout the ragtime romp through Prohibition, speakeasies, Charleston-flappin' and double-crossing, Bugsy walks the line between his past mistakes and future dreams, while all he really wants to do is spend time with his new love, Blousey. In the end, Bugsy, Blousey and the rest of the gang must devise a way to bring the warring leaders together in a celebration of friendship - and a lot of whipped cream and silly string.

"I think, in the end, audiences will remember how we all got together, joined forces and bonded with our friendship, both in the show and as a cast" says Lamar. Fellow actor and St. Margaret Mary seventh-grader Meredith Fowster agrees. "This show has such a big impact on me because so many amazing people are coming together. The show taught me that working together helps me be a better person," she says.

Bugsy Malone Jr. is presented as a part of The Rose Theater's Teens 'N' Theater program, and is a joint production of the BROADWAY and DRAMA at The Rose departments. The Teens 'N' Theater program provides teenagers an opportunity to roll up their sleeves and get active in the world of theater. The teen-only shows included in the Teens 'N' Theater season give students a chance to act, direct, write, design and stage manage a full-fledged production. The result is a season of fresh, thought-provoking and genuine work that inspires a life-long love of theater.

"I wanted to be a part of this show because, when you find a home, a place where people love and care about you, you know that's where you belong. And, for me, that place is The Rose Theater's Teens 'N' Theater program," says Swanson Elementary sixth-grader Daisy Friedman.

An exuberant gangster musical for guys and dolls of all ages, Bugsy Malone Jr. is a charming, irreverent and clean (though delightfully messy) showcase for the whole family. The book is written
by Alan Parker and features a catchy swing-style score by Paul Williams (who also composed "The Muppet Movie"). It is directed by Kathryn Stahl and Nicole Korpela.

"It is a mix of gang wars and ridiculous pie fighting. What's not to love?" says actor Will Cook, a seventh grade homeschooler.

Actors in Bugsy Malone Jr. include: Taylor Bartlett (Spring Lake Elementary School), Rebecca Callen (St. Robert School), Will Cook (Home Schooled), Allison Crain (St. Bernadette School), Rachel Deroma (Central High School), Grayce Dutcher (Central Middle School), Chloe Fowler (Westside Middle School), Meredith Fowster (St. Margaret Mary School), Daisy Friedman (Swanson Elementary School), Jason Geho (Westside High School), Kody Horrocks (Beadle Middle School), Wayne Hudson (Kiewitt Middle School), Ava Kelly (Lewis Central Middle School), Imani Lamar (King Science Magnet Middle School), Phoenix Nehls (Black Elk Elementary School), Shae Nickels (Lewis Central Titan Hill), Sarah O'Hara (Avery Elementary School), Raven Obens (La Vista Junior High School), Goretty Ofafa (Holy Name School), Gwenyth Weiss (Westbay Elementary School), Olivia Weiss (Elkhorn Ridge Middle School), and Merlaina Yates (Fontenelle Elementary School).

Bugsy Malone Jr. will be presented on Saturday, November 1 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, November 2 at 3:30 p.m. in the Hitchcock Theater at The Rose Theater, 2000 Farnam St. Tickets are $6 and may be purchased by calling The Rose Box Office at (402) 345-4849 or at the door the day of the show. Tickets for this production are not available online.

The Teens 'N' Theater program is sponsored by The Mammel Foundation, The Nebraska Arts Council and the Nebraska Cultural Endowment.

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