MAGNA — Based on the 2015 Disney Channel original movie, Descendants: The Musical is pure Disney magic with twist. The musical, with book by Nick Blaemire and music and lyrics by Madeline Smith (with additional lyrics by Blaemire), is set in the magical kingdom of Auradon. Auradon is a realm where classic Disney heroes and their children live in joy and peace, but the villains and their children are banished to the desolate Isle of the Lost. The story follows Mal (the daughter of Maleficent), Evie (the daughter of the Evil Queen), Jay (the son of Jafar), and Carlos (the son of Cruella de Vil). The children are given the chance to attend Auradon Prep alongside the children of Belle, Aurora, Cinderella, and other fairy tale heroes. The Villain Kids’ (or VKs) secret objective is to steal the Fairy Godmother’s magic wand and use it to free their villainous parents. Instead, they begin to discover who they are outside of their parents. As they find love, friendship, and belonging, they begin to question whether they’re destined to be evil, or if they get to choose who they become.
This musical is full of campy Disney magic and is a classic coming of age story. But this production at the Empress Theatre in Magna has a twist: every character (VKs included) is played by an actor who is 45 or older. This might feel a little odd at first, as so many of the characters are teenagers, but this is a wonderful opportunity for these performers to interact with a story they may enjoy watching with their children or grandchildren. Director Adam Cannon says the cast has “learned that while (their) bodies may not be able to do the same dance moves (they) once could, (their) minds and talents are as sharp as ever.” The commitment from every single actor on stage was astounding, and there is real joy in watching them perform in such an unapologetic way.
The four VKs were the beating heart of this show, and their chemistry together is electric. You fully believe in their friendship, their loyalty, and their bickering. Every scene they share crackles with energy and camaraderie. Diana Sorensen playing Mal and Amy Hallett playing Evie both gave excellent performances. Their duet “Space Between” at the top of Act 2 was a highlight because of the genuine connection between these two women. Their characters were so specific and honest that I genuinely, repeatedly forgot I wasn’t watching actual teenagers. Sorensen anchored the show emotionally, and her character’s growth and “coming of age” created a compelling through-line. Sorensen’s scenes opposite Crystal Ahlemann as her on-stage mother Maleficent carried a thorny and real mother-daughter tension. Which is very impressive considering the actresses are so close in age. Ahlemann as Maleficent was a powerhouse in her own right as she never dropped character and radiated wicked charm in Maleficent’s number “Evil Like Me.”
On the “hero” side of the cast, Scott Sorensen plays Prince Ben, the son of Belle and the Beast. Sorensen has an endearing and earnest energy making him instantly likable, and his song “Ridiculous” was an absolute joy: big vocals, boundless energy, and total fearless commitment. The opposites attract love story between Ben and Mal was charming and believable, perhaps aided by the adorable fact the performers are married in real life. Stacey Childs Hutchings plays Princess Audrey (the daughter of Sleeping Beauty) as a delightfully stereotypical teenage mean girl. Hutchings dripped with sass and stole scenes with effortless comedic timing. Though Hutchings does not sing often, her belted notes rang powerfully through the space when she sang.
Overall, the cast had beautiful voices, however the classical placement of most voices did not always suit the pop/rock and hip hop stylistic demands of the score. As a result, some solos lacked the strength and pop stylings the audience would usually associate with this music. Additionally, this led to harmonies that were a bit rough around the edges in some group numbers. Interestingly, numbers that shone the most vocally were the choral acapella arrangements of “Be Our Guest” and “Go the Distance.” In these cases, the complicated harmonies presented no issues for the cast, and the classical style of voices made these numbers really beautiful.
The biggest stumble in this production was the pacing. The momentum built in strong scenes was repeatedly deflated by long, slow set changes. These set changes made the show feel much longer. However, other technical elements are very effective. The set, designed by Celeste Reese, used clever movable doors and black lights differentiating between the magical Auradon Prep and the grittier, graffiti filled Isle of the Lost. The black light effect helped to highlight different elements of the set and was a lot of fun, for example it made some “Long Live Evil” graffiti art appear that fans of the movie will recognize. Fans of the movie will also appreciate the screen accurate costume and wig design by Candice Jorgensen and Cheryl Cripps Richardson, each character was instantly recognizable in their iconic Disney inspired clothing with a modern twist.
This production of Descendants (45+) requires the same amount of suspension of disbelief you’d need for a production of Descendants Junior. If two 12 year old’s can play parent and child, two 50 year old’s can play parent and child. If audiences can approach this production with that mindset, they’ll be richly rewarded. But if they walk in expecting seamless theatrical illusion, they may struggle. Walk in expecting passion, personality, and people having the time of their lives, and you’ll leave smiling.
Descendants: The Musical (45+) is not a traditional night at the theatre, and that is precisely its charm. It is a gleefully committed, imperfect, and joyful evening of entertainment that demands you check any cynicism at the door. For those who are fans of the movie, or for those who are fans of unique theatre, this show is definitely worth seeing.
SHOW INFO: Descendants: The Musical (45+) plays Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 7:30 pm May 8th – May 23rd at the Empress Theatre (9104 W 2700 S, Magna, UT). Tickets are $20. For more information, visit https://www.empresstheatre.com/