Teen Ensemble Reviews Becoming Nancy
Our Teen Ensemble watched the first preview of the world premiere musical Becoming Nancy and shared some thoughts regarding the show below. Let's take a look!
"For me, it is rare when a new musical is completely captivating and immediately joins my list of top favorite musicals. However, Becoming Nancy is that rare musical.
Alliance Theatre’s new musical, helmed by two-time Tony award winning director Jerry Mitchell, portrays the story of David Starr, a lovable high school theatre kid. David is forced to reinvent himself after receiving the part of Nancy in his school’s production of Oliver! Even though David is up to the challenge, his parents and peers are not supportive of the casting decision. Thus, David is compelled to find his own confidence to take the stage and be a voice for others who are not always appreciated by 1979 London society.
With many Broadway veterans, the show brings depth to the struggles and joys of family life, high school, and first love. Zachary Sayle leads the show as the likable David Starr. He completely engages the audience from the moment he steps onstage until curtain call, making him the perfect person to lead the audience through David’s journey. The many other actors that join Mr. Sayle such as Stephen Ashfield, Jessica Vosk, Jasmine Rogers and Jake Boyd as David’s friends and family give powerful performances in their respective roles.
As I walked into the recently renovated Coca-Cola Stage, the bright set immediately caught my attention. The show’s set designer, David Rockwell, does an impressive job of creating a multi-use set that is bold but not overbearing. To compliment the set, lighting designer, Philip S. Rosenberg is able to enhance the mood of each scene. In the large opening numbers, the lighting is brilliantly colorful and exciting, but the lights quickly dim to support some of the darker moments of the show.
Besides the technical aspects of the show, Elliot Davis’s book is very witty and relatable, especially for those who are in high school, and George Stiles and Anthony Drewe’s heartwarming music and lyrics give a subtle nod to the height of 70’s music while supporting crucial moments in the show. With its intense choreography and entrancing performances, Becoming Nancy is a must-see!"
- Emily, 12th grade
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"I had the privilege of seeing Becoming Nancy during its first preview with the Alliance Theatre Teen Ensemble. The Alliance Theatre had done an amazing job marketing the show, so I came in with the highest expectations. Safe to say, my expectations were exceeded. Becoming Nancy is a show bigger than any stage. Between the deliberate characterization and the intimate storytelling, this musical succeeds in making the audience feel connected to the story as a whole.
Becoming Nancy tells the story of David Starr (Zachary Sayle), a boy living in East Dulwich, England who is cast as a female role in his school’s production of Oliver! The process of Becoming Nancy, hence the title, is a difficult one told in the most beautiful way. I was in awe of how the lighting design— led by Philip S. Rosenberg— painted the scenes, especially in the moment where David discovers he’s been cast as Nancy. The lighting also contrasts the moments where David speaks to the audience directly from the moments of character dialogue. Both the choreography (Jerry Mitchell) and the costumes (Amy Clark) amped the visual aesthetic of the production, and the spotlight ensemble dance breaks left the crowd whooping and hollering.
Musically, the show possesses a strong understanding of how songs should move the plot along in ways dialogue can’t. “6 Inches From Your Heart” (sung by Sally Ann Triplett) is a simple song based around how far a mother’s womb is from her heart, but sung in such a heart-wrenching way that it makes you feel a mother’s pain even if you’ve never experienced motherhood. Contrastingly, songs like “I Don’t Care” (sung by Jake Boyd and Zachary Sayle) bring you right back to your rebellious years, where you realize that everything that seems big is very small, and we shouldn’t take our lives too seriously. Every song encompasses a pivotal moment in David’s coming-of-age. Plus, with a twist on the typical greek chorus, David Starr draws inspiration and wades through self-discovery with the help of his muses: Sting, Kate Bush, and Blondie.
I’m beyond excited to see this show again. The cast and crew is made up of the most genuine, ambitious, and talented people I’ve ever met. Becoming Nancy has the capacity to go far and will spread the most important message that our generation needs now more than ever: you matter."
- Kamryn, 12th grade
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"Taking place in a small London suburb in 1979, Alliance Theatre’s Becoming Nancy centers around high-schooler David Starr, and the challenges he faces once he is cast as Nancy, the female lead of his school musical, Oliver! Throughout this coming of age story, David and his friends face prejudice and hate and learn to rise above it. Complete with intricate and charming characters, show-stopping songs, energetic dance numbers, a dynamic set and even hilarious appearances of actors portraying some of the 70's biggest stars, Becoming Nancy is a full package.
In all transparency, I was not expecting this show to be so hilarious and yet so impactful and moving. The talented actors and writers were able to have the audience laughing one minute and full of sorrow the next. It was an incredibly enjoyable experience that was also able to spark thought and empathy. I was impressed with every actor on stage. The casting was phenomenal. All the actors were so incredibly in tune with their characters, which made them all so much fun to watch. I cannot express how amazing this cast is. To name a few, Matt Hetherington’s portrayal of David's father was full of emotional complexity and Zachary Sayle performed all of David’s songs (and lines) with adorable charm and skill. The technical aspects of the show were executed beautifully, adding on to the overall impact of the show. The set used the space so beautifully and was very functional. The lights were so intricate and were executed so well. The lights and costumes especially stood out during the Gloria Gaynor appearance. The purple flashing lights transported the audience to a 70s disco show and that purple outfit was stunning. Those pants….
Just like any other show, however, there is always room for improvement. I believe that an opportunity was missed in not characterizing Jason Lancaster further. I believe it would have been very impactful to see Jason's backstory a little more, allowing people to see where his hate comes from. Perhaps a tumultuous family, or maybe he was bullied as a child. Either way, by furthering his back story I believe a deeper lesson could be taught about hate and how it grows. I also thought that the change Maxie goes through after the club scene was confusing. I didn't understand how such a carefree character could have such an extreme change of heart. The show also borders on cheesy at some points which is slightly confusing as there are many edgy aspects and serious topics. These potential areas of growth, however, are very nitpicky. Overall, this production features amazing actors, beautiful and hilarious writing and directing, and technical aspects that bring the show together making it an incredibly enjoyable and stand out experience."
- Fiona, 11th grade
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"When I first heard that Kinky Boots director Jerry Mitchell would be coming to the Alliance Theatre to direct and choreograph Becoming Nancy, I immediately knew it was something I couldn’t miss. However, nothing could have prepared me for just how incredible this production really is. Now, as I sit here trying to put my feelings into words, I’m coming to realize I have no idea what to say. The experiences these characters deal with have left me speechless. Every piece of dialogue, every emotion I saw exhibited on the Coca-Cola Stage last night was so honest and real that I’m still searching for the words a day later.
Based on the novel by Terry Ronald, Becoming Nancy beautifully portrays the struggles faced by queer teens and teens of color. But it doesn’t stop there. While the story focuses on high school students, it does not stray away from the lives of the adults in the play. Each character is wonderfully three-dimensional and will be eerily reminiscent of someone you have encountered in your real life. The interactions between characters and the things they are going through, both good and bad, are so authentic that they are guaranteed to move you.
My only regret after seeing this play, is that I was not able to speak to each individual who brought this story to life, and thank them for what they are doing for queer people, young and old, who have the honor of experiencing Becoming Nancy in any capacity. While there are many representations in pop culture today, it is my honest belief that Becoming Nancy told this story and represented the process of coming out better than anything else I have seen to date. Running from September 6th through October 6th, Becoming Nancy can be seen on the Coca-Cola Stage at the Alliance Theatre."
- Flannery, 12th grade
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"'It’s rather dull for kids like us!' The students of the London suburb East Dulwich, the setting of Becoming Nancy, exclaim in perfect harmony. But this spectacle is certainly anything but dull. With a top-notch creative team, a fantastic cast, and breathtaking execution, this inspiring production kept me on the edge of my seat, dancing, laughing, and yes, ugly-crying for the entirety of the show. This huge-hearted musical is unlike any other contemporary musical I’ve seen; although complete with boppy ensemble dance numbers and heart-wrenching ballads, Becoming Nancy fosters an important dialogue concerning homophobia, racism, and xenophobia all without detracting from or overpowering the storyline. These issues are intrinsic to the plot and make Becoming Nancy so much more than merely another “high school musical.”
To all the wonderful people behind this production: Absolutely brilliant. Thank you for your vision. The creative team for Becoming Nancy is unparalleled; the material itself is captivating and the execution is exquisite. As a new musical, a huge round of applause is in order for Elliot Davis (book) and musical team Anthony Drewe (lyrics) & George Stiles (music). They have immaculately transformed a story from ink and paper to a medium of physical storytelling, which is no small feat. Jerry Mitchell (director/choreographer), who needs no introduction, has taken this beautiful brainchild, given it wings, and brought it to Alliance Theatre with the rest of the creative team to see it take flight… all while keeping the cast turning and leaping #fullout.
1979 in East Dulwich! Not that I have been there (or been alive in 1979 for that matter), but the cast of Becoming Nancy transported me to that world through authentic and jaw-dropping performance with the help of the fabulous costume designers (Dear Amy Clark, can you please design my wardrobe?). Though set at the dawning of the ‘80s, the themes at heart are timeless and who doesn’t want a best friend like Francis Bassey (played by the amazing Jasmine Rogers)? Truly every performer in this show was a standout performer and I would love to write a paragraph for every actor/character in the musical. I was particularly impressed by how seamlessly David Starr’s mother, drama teacher, and aunt (played by the incredible Sally Ann Triplett, Stephen Ashfield, and Jessica Vosk, respectively) transformed in a matter of seconds into hilarious reincarnations of Blondie, Sting, and Kate Bush to guide David (played by the one and only Zachary Sayle). In all aspects, Becoming Nancy is a show full of love and it will undoubtedly change hearts and minds for the better. Someone, please give them their Tonys, already!"
- Julia, 12th grade
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"There is myriad elements that come together when creating a great musical: the passionate directing, perfected choreography, music composition, choice of actors, and a compelling story that transports the audience from their everyday thoughts. Becoming Nancy fell short of none of these aspects. This comes to no surprise, as Jerry Mitchell, two-time Tony Award winner and Broadway Director/Choreographer, directed and choreographed the production now showing at the Alliance Theatre’s Coca-Cola Stage. Set in 1979 in East Dulwich, the musical deals with a plethora of issues from racial discrimination to homophobia to broken families, allowing the audience to connect with the characters on a variety of levels.
Opening in drama class with David Starr, played by Zachary Sayle of Newsies, and Francis Bassey, played by Jasmine Rogers, the class eagerly awaits the casting of their high school’s production of Oliver! Soon discovering that he has been cast as Nancy, David anxiously anticipates the reactions of his family and classmates to this news. This marks the beginning of the audience’s experience through David’s internal and external conflicts. With inspirations like Sting, Kate Bush, and Blondie, David eventually becomes confident in his self-identity as a queer person and learns to stop caring about others judging his decisions.
The stylized and intricate choreography only adds emphasis to the energetic, dramatic happenings within the show. The stage designs give off retro vibes that allow the audience to experience East Dulwich in the late 1970s, which go hand-in-hand with the patterned and colorful costumes, like Aunt Val’s (Jessica Vosk). On stage, it’s clear to see the intoxicating chemistry between all of the characters. Being witness to various relationships, such as between David and his schoolmate Maxie, results in excitement and the feeling of being in the narrative alongside the characters. The beautiful script and the skillfully written songs feature moments of humor followed by apprehensive times, capturing the audience’s full attention throughout the entirety of the musical. Becoming Nancy is a must-see show that will not disappoint."
- Sophia, 12th grade
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"Last Saturday at the Alliance Theatre, I saw the premiere of the show Becoming Nancy. I was very excited to see it mainly because I noticed that Jerry Mitchell who also directed the show Kinky Boots. Kinky Boots is one of my favorite shows that I've ever seen in on Broadway, so I was really excited to see what he came up with for the show. This show is about a boy who has gotten the role of Nancy and his school play, Oliver. He gets bullied at school for it and gets shunned by his family, but still manages to stay strong and confidently play Nancy in the show.
I would like to comment on the music. The songs are very fun. As soon as the show was over, I wanted to download them onto my phone. Also, each character played their role very well. I especially loved the role of Squirrel. He was very funny and entertaining. I also really liked the set in the show. For most of the show they were mainly in the school, so when it was time to be in another location there was a small platform that moved forward and backward to show where the other location was. I thought this a fun concept. In conclusion, Becoming Nancy is a show that I have fallen in love with and soon the whole world will."
-Colleen, 11th grade
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"Becoming Nancy is a perfectly nostalgic, honest look at finding your own truth through adversities, external and internal alike. The roller coaster of being an outcast, non-conforming teenager is a story that has definitely been told in the past, but few of those stories have the outstanding comedic, and emotional value that is displayed in Becoming Nancy. This is an experience that people of any demographic would find pleasure in and will definitely leave a lasting impact on those who see it.
Set in 1979, the plot of this story isn’t to be taken lightly, and the lead character of David Starr (Zachary Sayle) is one that we are all to find within ourselves at one point or another during the show. Sayle truly became David Starr, and Starr literally became Nancy. All actors in the show perfectly capture the ranging attitudes of teens in the late 70s, and truly embody their respective roles. Writer, Elliot Davis, and director Jerry Mitchell fuse the attraction of comedy and the intensity of drama so seamlessly, and the intimacy of the Alliance Theatre only heightens that sense of connection. As, expected from the great Jerry Mitchell, Becoming Nancy’s choreography is just as involved in the forward movement of the story, as the dialogue.
Throughout the entirety of this show the audience will be presented with a chance to step into the shoes of the people of East Dulwich, London, experience the discovery of who we truly are, and more importantly, having pride in whatever that may be. Becoming Nancy is a must see musical! Don’t hesitate to experience it for yourself!"
- Jalen, 12th grade
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"The Alliance Theatre’s world premiere of the new musical Becoming Nancy is a story of love, heartbreak, and self-discovery. From the very top of the show, we follow David Starr, a high schooler living in East Dulwich in 1979 as he gets tangled up in a scandal when he is cast as the female lead in his school’s musical, causing problems in his life at school and at home. Who would have thought casting for a high school production could turn someone’s life completely upside down?
The beauty of this show is that nothing is predictable, which is what made it such a joy to watch. I caught myself sitting on the edge of my seat with my mouth open in suspense more times than I would care to admit. The complexity of every character comes together to create a believable plot that people of all ages can relate to. Even though the show takes place in the 70’s it is still relevant today. The show is uplifting but still focuses on heavy topics such as racism, identity, and acceptance.
After 2 hours and 30 minutes of tears and laughter, I left the theatre wanting more. The songs keep playing in my head and I still find myself humming “Night Bus” constantly. Go buy tickets now because I promise this is an experience you shouldn’t miss."
- Lea, 11th grade
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"Becoming Nancy, based on the novel written by Terry Ronald, was an extremely exciting way to start out this season at the Alliance Theater. Directed by Jerry Mitchell, the show is about David Starr, played by Zachary Sayle, a boy who has been cast as Nancy in his school’s production of Oliver! The story is based in 1979 in a suburb near London where David and his best friend Francis, played by Jasmine Rodgers, are outcasts. David because people suspect him of being gay, and Francis because of her skin color. There are a lot of difficult topics that Becoming Nancy tries to tackle with LGBT, race, bullying, and difficult familial relationships. David’s support comes from his aunt Val, played by Jessica Vosk, and his theater teacher Hamish, played by Stephan Ashfield. The book was written by Elliot Davis, the music by George Stiles, and the lyrics by Anthony Drewe. The set, designed by David Rockwell, looked like a high school and fit really well with the scenes that were inside the school, but it also didn't take away from the scenes that were outside, or in David’s house. I really loved how they were easily able to influence the mood by changing the lights on a screen at the back of the set. I also loved how they used shadows to perform Oliver!, I always love the use of shadows to tell stories because you can allude to so much and exaggerate so much more. The costumes added to the late 70s feel even more. They were bright and colorful but not so bright that they were distracting.
One of my favorite things was the way that the relationship between David and Maxie, played by Jake Boyd, was developed. It felt awkward, frustrating, and scary which is how these relationships feel. I also particularly liked the way that they handled David and Abigail’s, played by Lizzie Bea, relationship, so that we got to hear from and relate to Abigail some, too. I felt that the way the issues of race were handled could have gone deeper. While there was a conclusion to that arc and those who did wrong were punished, I felt like Francis’s emotional arc needed more of a personal wrap up. The family relationships was also something I found a bit unbelievable. David’s mother, played by Sally Ann Triplett, going from happily making her son a dress to not knowing what to think when she found out he was gay. I had thought that she had known about him being gay the entire time from the way she had talked to the David’s father, played by Matt Hetherington. And his father going from not being able to accept that his son was wearing a dress and playing a female role to being accepting and supporting his son felt too quick to me. I wish there was more of a transition with him.
Becoming Nancy is an amazing show and one that I would definitely recommend to all my friends and anyone who is interested in it. It has great music, a beautiful set, and costumes that make you feel like you have been transported to the late 70s. The cast did such a good job. Stephen Ashfield, Evan Duff, Nico DeJesus, Jasmine Rogers, and Seth Clayton were some of my favorites. The energy of the show was exciting and all I wanted to do for the next week was listen to the soundtrack, which I need soon. It's definitely a show to check out."
- Sara, 12th grade
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"The Alliance Theatre’s production of Becoming Nancy is absolutely incredible. I’ve seen it twice and each time have been blown away by the quality of storytelling and moving plot. Jerry Mitchell’s perspective into this show has benefited its technical aspects such as blocking that’s easily interpreted by the audience and in emotional aspects through heart wrenching moments where the audience is able to deeply connect what actors may be going through on stage. Additionally, being the choreographer of the show, Jerry Mitchell’s influence gave life to big show-stopping numbers, such as the opening “East Dulwich” and “Play As a Team” where choreography unique to Becoming Nancy shines.
The Alliance did a phenomenal job in the casting of Becoming Nancy as every actor was very natural and did an outstanding job in their roles. Zachary Sayle, who played the starring role of David Starr, undoubtedly conveys the wide range of emotions demanded by this exhaustive role and does a wonderful job with it. Sayle shows the many sides of David and takes us on the emotional journey that is figuring himself out and becoming confident in himself through his high school production of Oliver! and various characters of classmates.
One of these classmates is the great Squirrel, played by Seth Clayton, a humorous student character who Clayton is able to convey both comic relief and major character development through. Another actor who shines would be Stephen Ashfield, who plays both drama teacher, Hamish McClarnon, and famous musician Sting. It goes without saying that Ashfield’s ability to swap so easily between two vastly different characters is the mark of an experienced and talented actor, with his addition of his Scottish accent for Hamish being the cherry on top. Jessica Vosk does the same through her portrayal of both the heartwarming Aunt Val and world-famous Kate Bush. Vosk is able to evoke personal pastimes and memories of the audience and thereby establish deep connections through her song “On the Night Bus” with Lizzie Bea playing Abigail Henson. This whole cast is incredibly talented and the culmination of all their artistry show through in their production of Becoming Nancy. I would absolutely recommend you go see it at the Alliance before it closes on October 6th."
- Nicky, 11th grade
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"The time and effort put into the Alliance Theatre’s production of Becoming Nancy is evident from the very beginning. All the aspects of the show—actors, music, set, lighting, costumes, etc.— come together to create a burst of energy that puts the audience in a trance. The actors create characters that are genuine and interesting. The music is catchy and uplifting but packed with meaning and emotion.
The set successfully takes advantage of all the available space in order to create clear transitions and show changes in location. All these components working together smoothly allows for the beauty of the story to shine through.
It’s a universal story of accepting and finding yourself despite the expectations of your community. Every new detail draws you in so that you are constantly on the edge of your seat. The story and characters are relatable enough to feel a personal connection. This is a show that is so engaging that it’s almost impossible to suppress the physical and verbal reactions that bubble up inside you. For the duration of the show, everything outside of the theater melts away and you feel like an excited child, rooting for your favorite character."
- Alivia, 11th grade
Jasmine Rogers, Jake Boyd and Zachary Sayle in Becoming Nancy. Photo by Greg Mooney.
Alliance Theatre's Teen Ensemble is in partnership with:
