‘Big Bad Musical’ with a purpose

From October 18 - 22, the Native Caribbean Foundation, a non-profit organisation that provides showcasing opportunities for the local performer, will bring together schoolchildren between eight to 16 years to present a spectacle that is “shaking up the fairy-tale world”.

The Big Bad Musical will be staged at Naparima Bowl and according to producers will “have you questioning infamous stories you grew up listening to and sharing with your children such as Little Red Riding Hood and The Three Little Pigs”.

This thrilling “courtroom comedy” will take place over five days and schools in south Trinidad will have the option of a morning show from 9.30 am and an afternoon show from 12.30 pm with an encore show on October 22 from 6 pm which is open to the public.

But The Big Bad Musical is more than just a source of family entertainment.

In fact, one might call it an element of social commentary that speaks to modern- day Trinbagoian society; a production with a purpose, a media release said. According to the show’s chief musical director and accomplished musician, Victor Prescod, the play has an important message to share with its audience: “Don’t judge without knowing all the facts,” – a message that both speaks to relevant and current social issues such as bullying, the release said.

Director and experienced drama coach, Dexter Crawford calls it “a musical that gets people thinking”; thinking about those in society who have felt the heavy hand of unfair judgment and prosecution.

It is a belief that when premature judgment is removed from the equation, a space is created for acceptance and understanding to occur, thus improving the way we relate and communicate with those in our personal and working lives. Other production team members include choreographer Triston Wallace, who founded the Trinidad and Tobago Performing Arts Network and also choreographed Brian Mac- Farlane’s Christmas Joy in 2015; and assistant musical director Jonathan Corbie, a gifted 17-year-old who has assisted in musical direction for concerts such as “For Love” featuring the Genesis Chorale and the Presentation College Mixed Choir.

Tickets are priced at $40 for those attending the school shows and children attending the public show, and $50 for adults at the public show. For more info: message Facebook page: The Native Caribbean Foundation.

The Big Bad Musical is the first of two productions financed by the Native Caribbean Foundation. The other is the Caribbean Performing Arts Championships – an Olympic- style performing arts competition geared towards performers within the Caribbean region and scheduled for April 2017. Registration is open to those interested in participating and representing their country on a regional stage.