About Madagascar Jr
Twenty children with and without disabilities shared the limelight in June in Tauranga’s first ever fully-inclusive children’s musical, Madagascar Jr.
Based on the rip-roaring DreamWorks animated motion picture, and featuring the movie’s original music and lyrics, this fully inclusive production was presented by Glass Ceiling Arts Collective new Tauranga class, at the Westside Theatre.
The cast included children aged 6 to 18, almost half of whom have some kind of disability or learning difference - including Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome and Spina Bifida. Performers who require full-time support were accompanied by support actors on stage – in costume.
Madagascar tells the story of Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe, Gloria the hip hip Hippo and, of course, the hilarious, plotting penguins as they escape from their home in New York's Central Park Zoo and find themselves on an unexpected journey to the madcap world of King Julien's Madagascar.
Alex the lion is the king of the urban jungle, the main attraction at New York's Central Park Zoo. He and his best friends have spent their whole lives in blissful captivity before an admiring public and with regular meals provided for them. Not content to leave well enough alone, Marty lets his curiosity get the better of him and makes his escape to explore the world.
Filled with outlandish characters, adventure galore and an upbeat score, Madagascar Jr and its delightful cast left audiences with no choice but to "Move It, Move It”.
The show was directed by Elise Rohde from Wright Rohde Theatre, who manages the Glass Ceiling Arts Collective class for the Bay of Plenty. Elise says the children stole both the show … and audiences hearts.
During rehearsals Elise said “All the children are working together so beautifully; it’s been incredibly moving to see and an honour to direct. They show they’ve created is profoundly funny and their talent is immense”.
The show was also fully accessible, including Deaf signing.
Supporters
Glass Ceiling Arts Collective is grateful for the funding support we have received for this project from:
Each cast member from Madagascar Jr introduces themself as their character from the show.