LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE: THE MUSICAL • Fly North Theatricals

The Hoovers are a hapless, paper-plate-and-KFC kind of family, all walking under a cloud of their own woes. The only exceptions might be Grandpa, (Ken Haller), recently banned from the area's retirement homes for drug use and lewdness, and youngest daughter Olive (Zoe Klevorn), who dreams of becoming the first Miss America from New Mexico. When a contestant from a local kid’s beauty pageant is disqualified, Olive has a shot to get a step closer to her goal by taking on the Little Miss Sunshine competition in California. And of course, a lot can happen on a road trip from Albuquerque, New Mexico to Redondo Beach, California.

Fly North Theatrical’s production is presented “pay-what-you-want” as part of their Theater for All Initiative (TFAI) - aiming to make seeing and learning the performing arts in St. Louis more financially accessible. This is something FNT’s Artistic Director Colin Healy and Managing Director Bradley Rohlf are passionate about, and the performances of the FNT students working alongside professional actors serve as a clear testament to the program. (You can read more about that here.) 

The cast of LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE: THE MUSICAL.
Photo credit: Fly North Theatricals

Film-to-stage adaptations, a long-time trend that I’ve accepted isn’t going anywhere, can be tricky. It’s an interesting choice for the music and writing team, William Finn (Falsettos) and James Lapine (Into the Woods), to translate a film that largely takes place in an old VW van to the stage. But Healy’s direction keeps the action from becoming stagnant by making great use of yellow rolling chairs - particularly when the van breaks down and members of the Hoover clan have to run alongside it to jump in. It’s easy to imagine how the show would be swallowed up in a larger venue, but the Greenfinch Theater & Dive’s cozy theatre space is a great complement to the show’s vibe and heightens your engagement, while strong performances elevate a score that leans toward inertia.

Sheryl Hoover (Eileen Engel) and
Richard Hoover (Brian Mckinley)
Photo credit: Fly North Theatricals

Eileen Engel, armed with a clarion voice, is a standout as Sheryl Hoover, who shoulders the emotional load of the family as its matriarch. Her husband Richard is a motivational speaker struggling to sell his “10 Steps for Success” book, and Brian Mckinley nicely balances Richard’s attempts to inspire his family while trying to inspire himself. Klevorn is marvelous as Olive. Her onstage presence and solid vocals urge you to root for her character from the beginning, and she portrays Olive’s ups and downs with credibility and skill. Parker Collier, earnest in multiple roles, garners huge laughs whenever he’s onstage, and Dereis Lambert is memorable as Uncle Frank, a Proust scholar recovering from a failed suicide attempt. Connor Becker is impressive as Dwayne, Olive’s older brother, who has taken a vow of silence until he becomes a pilot. His reactions to Grandpa’s advice (a very funny and heartfelt Haller) to just “get laid” are priceless, and he delivers a notable second-act opening, “Dwayne”. The cast is rounded out by “mean girls”, Zy Beckley, Brynja Murphy, and Callum Thompson, who all give appealing performances.

Doctor (Parker Collier) and 
Olive Hoover (Zoe Klevorn).
Photo credit: Fly North Theatricals

Catch it before it’s gone! It’s at the Greenfinch until May 4.

LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE: THE MUSICAL

Music/lyrics by William Finn

Book by James Lapine

Directed by Colin Healy

Greenfinch Theater & Dive, 2525 S. Jefferson Ave.

through May 4 | tickets: Tickets for this production of Little Miss Sunshine are priced as “Pay-What-You-Want.”

Performances Fridays and Saturdays @ 7:30pm, Sundays @ 2:00pm.

Cast

Grandpa Hoover: Ken Haller

Uncle Frank: Dereis Lambert

Sheryl Hoover: Eileen Engel

Dwayne Hoover: Connor Becker*

Richard Hoover: Brian Mckinley

Olive Hoover: Zoe Klevorn*

Jeff, Map B*tch & Others: Parker Collier*

Mean Girl/ D’borah: Zy Beckley*

Mean Girl/Bridget: Brynja Murphy*

Mean Girl/Tracee: Callum Thompson*

Dwayne Hoover (Connor Becker).
Photo credit: Fly North Theatricals

Creative

Music Director & Projection Design: Colin Healy

Tech Director, Lighting Design & Production Manager: Bradley Rohlf

Costume Design & Props Design: Kel Rohlf

Creative Consultation & Choreographer ("Shake My Badonkadonk"): Angela Healy

Set Painter: Katie Orr

Light Board Operator: Celeste Gardner

Production Assistant: Danielle Singleton*

* Denotes FNT Student

Band
Keyboard 1/Conductor: Colin Healy
Keyboard 2: Nikki Ervin
Horn: Jessica Poddig
Reeds: Brandon Thompson
Drums: Des Jones
Reeds (4/25): Joseph Hendricks
Horn (4/25): Sydney Reynolds
Drums (5/2-3): Joe Pastor