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Regional Reviews: Phoenix The Three Javelinas Also see Gil's reviews of Greater Tuna, Shrek the Musical, The TomKat Project, and Pump Boys and Dinettes
Lowell's books are a sweet homage to the Southwest. She updates the famous fairy tale of the three pigs and the wolf to the southwestern equivalent of three javelinas and a coyote. In addition, her idea to now have the three houses the pigs built made out of tumbleweed, saguaro cactus ribs and adobe bricks, brings not only a modern update to the tale but a unique spin that anyone in the Southwest can immediately identify with. In The Three Javelinas Josefina and her brothers José and Juan are a group of traveling troubadours, who perform their musical selections at various saloons. Josefina dreams of becoming a ballerina, so she plans to head to Hoggywood to pursue her dreams. Juan has dreams of his own of doing something with his ability to draw. But the always joking José is happy with his life and wants the three to remain together as a performing trio. This conflict sets up a dilemma for the siblings, should Josefina and Juan pursue their dreams or stick with the family? While that seems like enough plot with a good message for a musical geared to a family, the fact that the three siblings are javelinas, and there just happens to be a coyote on the prowl, allows adaptor Jenny Millinger to expertly combine Lowell's two books, and the famous fable of the "Three Little Pigs," into a fun and engaging musical with a message. With a combination of country flavored tunes, mariachi themes and rockabilly licks, along with a continuous nod to the southwest in the arrangements and even a bit of Broadway razzle dazzle in the way of a big tap number, the score by Todd Hulet is varied and tuneful. While there may not be any songs you remember later, the numbers are fun and the lyrics by Millinger are cute. Millinger brings the same joyful sense to the book, with a series of funny, yet somewhat corny, jokes and rhymes for the comic José as well as a sincerity in the desires and dreams of Josefina and Juan. However, a few things in the book could be tighter, especially in that it may be just a bit long to completely hold the attention of younger audience members. Also, the magical abilities of the Coyote aren't quite developed, especially in act two when it seems he has the ability to make thunder and lightning happen and while we are told Josefina travels to Hoggywood it's a bit confusing as to why she decides to stay there. However, there is a sweetness and charm to the show that elevates the whole affair, even with a few shortcomings, into a winning musical. The Three Javelinas is an ensemble show, with the five member cast experts at the comic and singing requirements. D. Scott Withers, Tommy Strawser and Molly Lajoie are José, Juan and Josefina and each makes their roles unique with Lajoie providing a joy and vibrancy to her desire to dance, Strawser bringing a sweetness and sincerity to his artistic pursuits and Withers a perfect comic yet also nervous in the realization that he may lose his siblings for good. Kyle Sorrell is just as good as the conniving Coyote, who can't seem to get anything right, and Jon Gentry brings plenty of joy to the roles he plays, the best being the witty "Boy who Brings you the News" and the old, wise brick layer who helps Josefina build her house, yet also makes her realize just how important her family is. Director Dwayne Hartford does a nice job with letting the storytelling aspect of the piece flow naturally with a clarity and ease and Lajoie providing a small amount of fun choreography. Most of the action takes place front and center on the large stage, which works well. Holly Windingstad's set design and Tim Monson's lighting are the perfect example of the colors and imagery of the southwest. The combination of D. Daniel Hollingshead and Kish Finnegan's costumes and Hollingshead and Katherine Mammana's hair and makeup designs provide the essence of the animal creatures for the four actors, without covering the actors completely in an animal outfit. The Three Javelinas could still use a few tweaks in the story to tighten it up a bit and clarify a few small things and the score could possibly stand to either lose a song or two or have a more toe tapping memorable number. But even with those few shortcoming, The Three Javelinas is still a fun family friendly musical with a joy and clarity to its message that shows children of all ages that you can pursue your dreams while still remaining faithful to your family. The Three Javelinas at Childsplay runs through May 24th, 2015 at the Tempe Center for the Arts, 700 W. Rio Salado Parkway in Tempe, with performances on Saturdays at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. and Sundays at 1 p.m. Tickets are on sale at www.childsplayaz.org or at the Tempe Center for the Arts Box Office (480) 350-2822 (ext. 0) Book and Lyrics by Jenny Millinger Cast:
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