Miss Nelson is Missing!
from the books by Harry Allard and James Marshall
presented by CenterStage TheatreWorks
Audience Rating: G
Running Time: 1:20 including one 10-minute intermission
Accessible Seating: Available
Hearing Devices: Not Available
Sensory Friendly Showing: Not Available
ASL Performance: Not Available
Volume Level: Comfortable.
Noises and Visuals to Prepare For: Younger kids might be scared of Miss Viola Swamp.
We all had some favorite teachers we remember with great fondness, just as we all have at least one for whom we have...less than fond memories. The students in Miss Nelson is Missing! will probably never forget when they had Miss Viola Swamp, the meanest teacher EVER!
Miss Nelson is sweet teacher with class full of overactive problem children. They’re not BAD kids - they just don’t listen or want to do any work. Miss Nelson is played with syrupy sweetness by Jamie Gutzler. With her perky blonde hair and expressive eyes and fabulous facial expressions, Gutzler plays Miss Nelson as the perfect pushover.
Principal Humeleker, as played by Brian Sullivan, is the ideal complement to Miss Nelson. He’s eternally cheery and seems mostly oblivious to her plight. Sullivan makes us believe he really does speak in goofy catchphrases, yet he’s completely sincere. Watch for him to turn into a rock star to start Act II!
Miss Nelson’s class of seven is a wonderfully diverse group of “kids” - from the beauty queen who wants to be a supermodel (Grace Griffiths as Kimberly, doing her best Sharpay Evans imitation) to the ultimate nerd (Simon Heimersson as Raymond, who ends up saving the day) to the sports jock bully (Josh Neiro as George, who turns out to be a nice guy after all) and everyone in between: Deepti Aravapelli as Mouse, who lives up to his name; Bee Falcone as Elvis, complete with glittery shirt and rhinestone cape; Adeleide Laurence as the always queasy Phoebe; and Noel Nieczyporowicz as Lavita. Nieczyporowicz is actually one of the swings for Miss Nelson is Missing! and I understand hadn’t done a full run-through as Lavita before this performance, but you would never would have known from her strong showing as the mischievous gum chewer. Each of these outstanding performers made these characters their own - distinct and creative. They drive the show and keep the pace and action moving. GREAT job to all!
To get this unruly group back in control, Miss Viola Swamp appears, played with gleeful wickedness by Gutzler. The contrast between her Miss Viola Swamp and Miss Nelson is striking (and not just because of the different costumes and wigs), and she obviously has fun scaring the “kids,” complete with evil laugh.
Sullivan also plays a second role, that of Detective McSmogg, the incompetent policeman the kids go see to try to find Miss Nelson. Sullivan manages to make these similarly ridiculous characters unique with slight changes to his wardrobe and physicality.
Director Charlotte Taylor has put together a really fun, energetic show and, judging by the reactions of the many children in the audience, has a successful hit on her hands. The adults in the audience also seemed to enjoy themselves. I know my friends and I laughed out loud and often! Taylor has also surrounded herself with a solid design team who put together colorful costumes and a creative set and props that only enhance the acting and directing choices. Look for the amazing fish puppets during one of the “dream scenes”!
If you’re looking for a fun show to take kids to that will also entertain the adults in your life, be sure to check out Miss Nelson is Missing! Your kids will love it and you’ll be sure to leave smiling!
There’s NOTHING like live theatre!
Carol M. Rice
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