By Jeanni Ritchie
The RPSB Talented Theatre Program brings together students identified for their exceptional ability in theatre from schools across the parish. While they can often be found starring in productions at their own schools, twice a year these students come together for a collaborative production that showcases their collective talent.
This year’s spring performance of Disney’s Dare to Dream Jr. is a 60-minute musical revue that follows an eager group of trainees on their first day at a fictional Walt Disney Imagineering Studio.
As the group sets out to help each other discover their dreams, they explore the power of imagination to unite, inspire, and make anything possible. The revue blends contemporary favorites, timeless classics, and creative medleys into a fast-paced, high-energy production.
Directed by Talon Dearborne, the musical numbers and choreography have the audience singing and dancing along in their seats.
I adored Ian Williams in his lion costume as he sang I Just Can’t Wait to Be King — such a commanding performance in such a small body!
Also lighting up the stage was Audrey Johnson in Surface Pressure from Encanto.
The group numbers were electric. Hakuna Matata/Bare Necessities brought the energy, and Nonsense Medley hilariously jumbled songs from Mary Poppins, Cinderella, and more.
Kennedy Stewart made me want her for a friend in Friend Like Me. Can your friends do this? Can your friends do that? (I can assure you mine don’t!) I knew exactly who she was — the Genie — before she even started singing.
All of the costumes were immediately recognizable and incredibly fun. I knew who Woody (Ray Kelone) was the moment he stepped onstage in his cowskin vest. It was as if we’d stepped into every Disney movie we’ve ever loved — all at the same time.
I didn’t know what the song Dig a Little Deeper was from (The Princess and the Frog), but I knew exactly who was singing. Lyla Moran, Nora Smith, and Trinity Williams had been standouts in previous RPSB Talented Theatre productions, and once again, they delivered. Despite being among the youngest cast members, they were some of the most memorable. Whoever gets these girls on their high school stage in a few years will be incredibly blessed.
I had a very hard time sitting still and staying quiet during several of the musical numbers. One of my favorite ways to pass the time on long drives is belting out Disney songs, and Let It Go and Be Our Guest are at the top of my list. It took everything I had not to join in.
Other musical numbers included A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes, When You Wish Upon a Star, How Far I’ll Go/Part of Your World, Just Around the Riverbend/Out There, You’ve Got a Friend in Me, Try Everything, Go the Distance, When I Am Older, Remember Me, and I’ve Got a Dream, all contributing to the show’s celebration of Disney storytelling across generations.
Led by Imagineer Mentors Corbit Bonner, Libby Claire Mayo, and Nathalie Buller, the cast also included Natalie Pardue, Sophia Guin, Lyla Taylor, Cole Washington, Ava Evans, Chason Hernandez, Jayden Cook, Taylor Magee, Trinity Chark, Claire Woods, Abigail McGrew, Harleigh Whitson, Hayden Hinkston, Kaydron Sands, Flynn Cahill, Hayden Ramo, and Dreamers Za’Briyon Sherman, Jalen Joseph, Timson Walker, Alayah Wells, Natalie Linzay, and Nora Dean.
Dare to Dream Jr. is exactly what its title promises—a stage filled with young performers daring to step forward, take risks, and share their voices, reminding the audience that every great performance starts with a little imagination.
