HORSIN’ AROUND IN SARSAPARILLA CITY
“Over there!”, the kids scream excitedly. “You can, you can!”, a bespeckled boy urges on the sheriff. “I’m going to be an astronaut”, the timid, young lady observes in response to a question about dreams. Leaning over, totally engaged in the action. Bouncing up and down to the rhythm of the music. Cradled in dad’s arms, yet nodding affirmatively to Sally Sue’s question, just before he plants a kissee on dad’s cheek. These are a few of the sights and sounds this critic experiences during the family production of THE ROOT BEER 
BANDITS at the Garry Marshall Theatre in Burbank. Occasionally – it seems – all of us need to sit in a theatre with a passel of eager children and luxuriate in the joys of live theatre for these young‘uns.
Subtitled “A Rootin’ Tootin’ Wild West Musicale”, this show is all that and so much more. Refreshingly (even minus the root beer), parents are likely to find this polished production a heap of fun in the same way that their children do. No gunfights at the OK Corral, no merciless natives attacking the wagon train and no swigging down a whiskey at the saloon. Don’t worry, though, there are plenty of Western cliches peeking out of every corner of this handsome setting compliments of Tanya Orellana and ably lit by JM Montecalvo. There’s even an entrepreneur’s version of an 1860 Century dress shop, bursting at the seams with enough hoop dresses to catch the fancy of any young lasses caught up in the princess thing. In fact, all of the outfits worn by the characters result in a fanciful interpretation (Jessica Champagne-Hansen fashions the duds) of a romantic take on the Ol’ West.
The story embraces worthy themes of realizing one’s dreams, the importance of friendship and community and the challenging of common assumptions about society’s expectations. “Polly Peppercorn” (Grace Yoo), the first female Pony Express rider (at least until the pony hit the trails without her), enters the town of Sarsaparilla City (famous for its distinctive root beer supply) aiming to deliver a letter to “Sheriff Bailey” (Clayton Snyder). Meanwhile, a couple of “no-goods* (aspiring root beer bandits), domineering “Copper 
Penny” (Kelly Brandeburg) and hapless “Zeke” (Josey Montana McCoy), begin hatching their dastardly plan. The town’s upstanding citizen, “Sally Sue Tucker” (Cloie Wyatt Taylor) flits in and out representing goodness whenever it is in short supply.
Creators Rachel Lawrence (music) along with Joseph Leo Bwarie and Lori Marshall (book & lyrics) plot out an engaging, suspenseful tale, complete with farcical elements and good-natured fun as well as jaunty, spirited tunes and even a “sing-off at high noon” certain to stir up the attentions of any youngsters in audience land. Community theatres should consider scheduling this show for their family audience.
“The Whyman Boys”, perched in a nook among the crannies create the Western flavor with a high level of dedication. Conductor Ryan Whyman (saloon piano) harnesses the talents of his musicians including the following: Blake Estrada (bass), Ben Matthews (guitar, keyboard) and Jordan Bush (banjo, guitar). These fellas all deserve a sagebrush tribute…and maybe a hoedown of their own.
The all-Equity cast, winningly assembled with the help of Casting Director Elizabeth Ayoob, saves the day, aided by the energetic participation of the children (so necessary in family theatre productions). The classy dress shop owner at the center of the hoopla, Ms.Taylor, and the scheming, brassy Ms. Brandeburg register as my personal favorites. All of the actors portraying these characters, even so, fill the bill with distinction.
A quick shout out goes to the amiable Garry Marshall Theatre‘s box office staff. Maybe a raise should be in their future.
Director Leo Bwarie holds the reigns of this rip-roarin’ delight which only plays until April 28. Rustle up your children, the neighbor’s kiddies or your grandchildren and head on down to Burbank for a taste of sarsaparilla this weekend. No kidding…root beer is served after the show.
NOTE TO CREATIVE TEAM: Don’t you think that the actor playing “Zeke” in the show should be able to use his own stage name instead (i.e. “Josey Montana McCoy”)? Just sayin’.
N.B. The Garry Marshall Theatre brought back this production upon reopening after the pandemic as a tonic for its audiences. Whoopee!
pc: Aaron Batzdorff
