MERCERSBURG, Pa. – It’s high school musical season and certain titles always seem to be in the rotation. For those looking to expand their canon, the Drama Club at James Buchanan High School has a fresh offering that you are unlikely to have seen before,“The Magician’s Elephant.” In fact, JBHS holds the distinction of being the very first school to perform the show, which was just released for licensing last year.
The Details:
Performances: Friday, March 20-7 p.m.; Saturday, March 21-7 p.m.; and Sunday, March 22-3 pm.
Tickets: $10 for adults, $8 for children – available at the door OR online
Location: JBHS Auditorium, 4773 Ft. Loudon Road, Mercersburg
Run Time: 2 hours and 40 minutes, including intermission
Song to Stream: “So What If Your Dreams Come True” is mandatory listening in 2026
Content: The show is rated PG by licensing agent MTI and is suitable for elementary aged students. The length may make it challenging for very young viewers. The content is similar to work by Roald Dahl featuring some dark themes like war and parents dying in a comedic way. As always, families should do research needed to make an informed choice.
The Story:
The musical debuted on England’s Royal Shakespeare Company stage, following in the footsteps of their very successful adaptation of Roald Dahl’s “Matilda.” This production of Kate DiCamillo’s popular novel was originally scheduled to premiere in 2020, but was derailed by the global pandemic. Arriving a year later, awareness of this musical was likely affected by the post Covid drop in attendance that continues to plague many theater organizations. (Do your part to combat this – go see theatre – specifically this show!)
Audiences might know DiCamillo best for her novels “Because of Winn-Dixie” and “The Tale of Despereaux,” both of which have received film adaptations in recent years. DiCamillo tends to tackle serious issues with a dose of fantastical whimsy, and the storyline of “The Magician’s Elephant” is no exception. This adaptation, with book and lyrics by Nancy Harris and music and lyrics by Marc Teitler, leans into the source material’s YA roots. It employs a narrator character to break the fourth wall and lead the audience through the events of the show – which become increasingly fantastical as the play unfolds.
We are introduced to the town of Baltese, where it is always gray and cold, but it hasn’t snowed in 100 years. We also learn the town folk are haunted by the memory of a war that killed many members of the community directly, or through the deprivations that resulted. It’s clear we are not meant to know exactly where Baltese is, what year the play takes place, or to associate any real war with the war of the play. Instead, we meet a series of entertaining characters that represent archetypes found in many small towns.
At the center of the events is loveable orphan Peter Duchene. He is being haunted by dreams of his family who have all died (at least that’s what his super strict guardian Lutz has told him). Enter a Fortune Teller who shares that, by following an elephant, Peter can find the answers he is looking for.
Someone else longing for family are his neighbors, Leo and Gloria Matienne. Gloria has love to give, but is unable to have children. Her devoted and optimistic husband Leo works for the local police. In that capacity, Leo is called to the Opera House where the titular elephant has been miraculously summoned by a Magician.
In the ensuing confusion local widow and philanthropist Madame La Vaugh’s legs are tragically crushed, and the town’s elite are feeling terrorized. The Magician is arrested and the Chief of Police is determined to keep the elephant’s presence under wraps to avoid the wrath of his patron, the irritable town Countess.
Of course, soon everyone in Baltese is aware of the pachyderm in their midst, so the Countess decides to profit off its appearance by chaining it in her ballroom for private display. The elephant is understandably confused and sad to find herself all alone. Her health begins to decline, and Peter is faced with a tough choice – keep the elephant in sight to unravel the mystery of his family or try to find a way to return her home and save her life.
The Narrator (Addison Nickels) conjures the night’s entertainment! Photo Credit: @oktober.hollow.photo
The JBHS production
Director Luke Spurgeon deserves kudos for seeking out this new work and taking a chance on something with little to no name recognition. He was obviously able to inspire the cast to buy in. Additional support and instruction to the cast from Assistant Director Kristin Zimmerman and Music Director Vanessa Murawski-Ferrell is also clearly evident.
This student cast of “Magician’s Elephant” is more than up to the task of embracing the fairytale vibe the show calls for. As The Narrator, who appears in multiple disguises throughout the show, Addison Nickels blends presence and excellent technique to help keep the audience engaged.
In the role of Peter Duchene, Jackson Groen offers just the right amount of youthful earnestness with occasional tongue-in-cheek sass. His tenor vocals are consistently strong throughout and help add emotion to his character’s array of ballads.
Another standout singer in the cast is Adia Twine as Gloria Matienne. Her portrayal of a young woman too wounded by past disappointment to hope for the future is touching and nuanced. Her 11 o’clock number “Real Magic” is sure to tug at the heart strings.
Paired with Twine is fellow Senior, Lincoln Watkins. His portrayal of the optimistic Leo, who is wrestling with a crisis of conscience, is particularly effective in scenes where he tries to be a helping hand to the main character, Peter.
A less endearing father figure is Peter’s military obsessed guardian, Vilna Lutz. Mateo Myers embodies the role with bombastic relish and manages the difficult task of making Lutz a sympathetic figure instead of a hateful caricature. (Shout out to Myers for their consistently eye-catching work in the ensemble as well.)
Speaking of hateful caricatures, Haley Snyder’s Countess Quintet is so delightfully grating, shrill, and over the top, that you can’t help but love to hate her. No spoilers, but a bucket full of steaming justice is eventually served.
Several other actors provide strong comedic moments that help keep up the energy during this fairly lengthy show. Mason Smith, as the hen-pecked Count to Snyder’s Countess, showcases hilarious physicality. Zander Tomlinson as the Police Chief and Adelyn Metcalfe as Madame La Vaugh both prove their comedic timing is superior in the challenging role of straight man. Samuel Roth uses prop comedy to his advantage as the Magician.
The second act sees the addition of the orphan duo of Adele (Abi Mele) and Lisette (Brylee Smith.) Mele and Smith bring a level of polish to their performances that elevates the whole show. Mele is a powerhouse vocalist whose energetic delivery of “Adele the Brave” gives leading lady energy. Smith, who ruled JBHS’s “Chicago” last year in the role of Roxie Hart, harnesses a new kind of brat energy that is sure to delight.
The Ensemble is rounded out by Brooke Beirle, Lydia Book, Logan Frazier, Hannah Gordon, Miranda Hackey, Peyton Laman, Arianna Nicol, Madison Romberger, Samuel Roth, Paige Showalter and Mason Smith. Each one of these charming additions to the town adds to the flavor of the show. The group mob scene featuring “Don’t Spoil it for the Rest of Us” in particular showcases the choral performance of the whole group.
Pit Orchestra Conductor Pat McNamee ably leads the orchestra through a surprisingly complicated score. The musicianship of the group is on full display, and their ability to balance their volume to avoid overpowering the young performers is appreciated. In an age of electronic orchestration a return to a more traditional pit band is welcome.
Gloria (Adia Twine) and Leo (Lincoln Watkins) are couples goals! Photo Credit: @oktober.hollow.photo
The adult creative team and actors deserve special recognition for their incorporation of the elephant in the show. Audience members will be as amazed as the people of Baltese when they get an eyeful of the elephant puppet created for the performance. It is truly impressive and its first entrance is sure to be a wow moment, especially for younger theater goers. Due to cast illness there have been multiple substitutions on the elephant handling team, but full respect should be paid each evening to those in the rig as well as all the backstage students working on crew to perfect some very tricky technical elements.
As of the preview performance several elements such as projection and wireless mics were still putting up a fight, but the team was proactive in addressing problems and their hard work is sure to pay dividends on performance days.
One reason high school companies go back to shows like “Mamma Mia” and “Seussical” is because they know they will pull in the crowds. These clubs rely on ticket sales to raise money for future productions. Taking a chance on a lesser known work can feel dangerous, but it is a blessing for our community and the students to have access to something new. Do JBHS and yourself a favor and take in “The Magician’s Elephant.” You might not have the chance again anytime soon.
