I have been attending shows at The Growing Stage for years. Each and every show offers a unique experience, and I always leave the theatre feeling uplifted. BOOGIE was no exception! It embodies everything The Growing Stage stands for, teaching important life lessons through heartwarming and engaging shows. This show, however, went far beyond this. It exceeded every expectation and I left feeling so many emotions.
BOOGIE, written by Angelle Whavers and Directed by Stephen L. Fredericks, is a story of a young girl, Alex (played by Sasha Nelson), and her father (played by Jeffry Foote), who move to Florida for a change of scenery. Both father and daughter are dealing with overwhelming grief. Just one year prior to their move, Alex lost her mom in a car accident. We learn that Alex has not yet processed her grief and has, as a result, been having nightmares.
I immediately became attached to this storyline and felt the pain Alex and her dad were each experiencing. Don’t worry, humor soon arrives in the form of the nosy neighbor, Dawna, played by Ashley Kowzun. With her Southern accent and over the top personality, I found myself instantly smiling as she commanded the stage. Through Dawna, we learn about the scary Boogieman who gives kids nightmares. Alex was intrigued and a little worried, while her dad tried to assure her this story was not real.
Alex gets ready to go to sleep, and, to her surprise, finds someone under her bed, the Boogieman. With a dynamic, exaggerated, and larger than life personality, BOOGIE becomes the star of the story. Played by Na’Jee Tariq, BOOGIE is a unique take on the classic Boogieman character we all know from our childhood. There are so many dimensions to this character, and you can’t help but fall in love with him. Using humor, theatrics, love, and encouragement, BOOGIE helps Alex face her fears. Of course I won’t tell you how it ends, but I will say it is beautiful!
Photo Provided by The Growing Stage
BOOGIE was the 2020 Laurie Award Winning New Play, and it is clear to see why. It is relatable for theatre goers of all ages. This amazing show also touched upon so many life lessons. Although the writer’s main purpose was to show audience members that anyone can face their fears, especially with support, there is so much more to this show. Here are some more important life lessons this show highlights.
Dealing with Loss
The underlying theme of BOOGIE is dealing with grief. We watch as Alex tries to ignore her grief while her dad is overcome by it. Both take very different journeys to come to terms with the loss of a family member. As a parent, it was heart wrenching to watch Alex’s dad as he tried to help his daughter but was at a loss on what to do. It was also quite emotional to see Alex’s internal struggle. BOOGIE does a wonderful job of showing the complex emotions that are involved when you lose a loved one.
Making New Friends
Alex recently moved to a new town and does not have any friends, yet. She is introduced to her neighbor Max, played by Jenna Alessandrini. They don’t have much in common and have a very rocky start, but they grow to appreciate each other and their differences. It was truly a beautiful friendship progression.
Bullying
Although bullying was not the main theme of the show, it was certainly present. We learn about how Max was severely picked on at school because she is a little different than her peers. We see her pain as she talks about each incident. BOOGIE offers a great opportunity to start a conversation with your child about bullying!
Growing Up
Photo Provided by The Growing Stage
It’s hard to grow up! Alex is 12 years old which is a difficult age. She is trying to decide what is real and what isn’t while also figuring out who she is without her mother. We also learn a little bit from Max about how hard middle school can be. On the other end of the spectrum, we see Alex’s dad’s growth as a single dad starting over. He is entering a new stage in his life as well which is filled with it’s on challenges.
BOOGIE was truly one of the BEST shows I have ever seen at The Growing Stage. This fabulous story was brought to life by incredibly talented actors, and it focused on so many important life lessons. Don’t miss your chance to see BOOGIE! There are only 2 shows left: February 26 and 27. Visit The Growing Stage website for more information and to purchase tickets.
Know before you go: Masks are required at all times while in the theatre.