Unscrupulous suitors. Conniving cannibals. A shape-shifting sea god. Showgirl sirens. Porcine ponderings. All of this and more can be found in the 2019 Greenbelt Youth Musical that opened with two performances last weekend at the Community Center.
The Greenbelt Youth Musical celebrates its 19th year by reprising a popular production from seven years ago, Homeward Bound. The book, music and lyrics by Christopher Cherry are based on The Odyssey by Homer. Homer’s epic poem follows the long, perilous journey of Odysseus to get home to his family in Ithaca after fighting the Trojan War. As with other Youth Musical productions
directed by Cherry, the lyrics are jam-packed with complex and clever word play. His strong melodies and the talents of musical director Stefan Brodd allow the audience to follow the story line and meet a diverse cast of characters, from comic to villain, and everything in between.
“Humankind has been enchanted by The Odyssey for nearly 2,800 years because it’s such a terrific story,” explains Cherry. “The resourcefulness of Odysseus and Penelope as they battle adversity in their parallel storylines confirms for the audience that they are a perfect match, and we root for their reunion.”
Read more of this story in the March 7 News Review.
