HORSIN\u2019 AROUND IN SARSAPARILLA CITY<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cOver there!\u201d, the kids scream excitedly. \u201cYou can, you can!\u201d, a bespeckled boy urges on the sheriff.\u00a0 \u201cI’m going to be an astronaut\u201d, 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 <\/a>BANDITS<\/strong> <\/em>at the Garry Marshall Theatre<\/strong> in Burbank<\/strong>. Occasionally – it seems – \u00a0all 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\u2018uns.<\/span><\/p>\n Subtitled \u201cA Rootin\u2019 Tootin\u2019 Wild West Musicale<\/em><\/strong>\u201d, 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<\/strong> and ably lit by JM Montecalvo<\/strong>. There’s even an entrepreneur’s version of an 1860<\/strong> 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 \u00a0a fanciful interpretation (Jessica Champagne-Hansen<\/strong> fashions the duds) of a romantic take on the Ol\u2019 West. <\/span><\/p>\n 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. \u201cPolly<\/em> Peppercorn<\/em>\u201d (Grace Yoo<\/strong>), the first female Pony Express rider (at least until the pony hit the trails without her), enters the town of Sarsaparilla City<\/strong> (famous for its distinctive root beer supply) aiming to deliver a letter to \u201cSheriff Bailey<\/em>\u201d (Clayton Snyder<\/strong>). Meanwhile, a couple of \u201cno-goods* (aspiring root beer bandits), domineering \u201cCopper<\/em> <\/a>Penny<\/em>\u201d (Kelly Brandeburg<\/strong>) and hapless \u201cZeke<\/em>\u201d (Josey Montana McCoy<\/strong>), begin hatching their dastardly plan. The town’s upstanding citizen, \u201cSally Sue Tucker<\/em>\u201d (Cloie<\/strong> Wyatt Taylor<\/strong>) flits in and out representing goodness whenever it is in short supply.<\/span><\/p>\n Creators Rachel Lawrence<\/strong> (music) along with Joseph Leo Bwarie<\/strong> and Lori Marshall<\/strong> (book & lyrics) plot out an engaging, suspenseful tale, complete with farcical elements and good-natured fun as well as \u00a0jaunty, spirited tunes and even a \u201csing-off at high noon\u201d certain to stir up the attentions of any youngsters in audience land. Community theatres should consider scheduling this show for their family audience.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe Whyman Boys<\/em>\u201d, perched in a nook among the crannies create the Western flavor with a high level of dedication. Conductor Ryan Whyman<\/strong> (saloon piano) harnesses the talents of his musicians including the following: Blake Estrada<\/strong> (bass), Ben Matthews<\/strong> (guitar, keyboard) and Jordan Bush<\/strong> (banjo, guitar). These fellas all deserve a sagebrush tribute…and maybe a hoedown of their own.<\/span><\/p>\n The all-Equity cast, winningly assembled with the help of Casting Director Elizabeth Ayoob<\/strong>, 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.<\/span><\/p>\n