Every year, the Spotlight Musical Theater Program puts on a play, one that has been developed by all involved on and back stage, that has been rehearsed for roughly half a year, and that features not only a relevant plot but also song and dance and the like, with music written by cast- and crewmembers. What makes the Spotlight Musical Theater Program so special is that everybody involved in the play are special needs people of one sort or another, who really see the theater as their means to express themselves as people rather than being reduced to their special needs. However, the 2021/22 season proves to be especially difficult, as for one Covid restrictions don't necessarily facilitate things, but also a troupe regular has died only shortly before the start of rehearsals, and during rehearsals, the co-director dies as well, with now sole director Lisa Lee Schmidt finding it difficult to cope with things on her own. And there's also hundreds of other little issues, but also backstage romance, and an unbroken spirit to bring the play over the finish line ...

... and part of what makes Into the Spotlight so good is that it remains positive throughout, doesn't make its material into a giant sob story but shows the growth of its main personnel, both on and off stage. Also it treats all of those portrayed with tremendous respect, never for a moment reducing them to their special needs but focussing on their undeniable talents and on overcoming obstacles, whether or not they have to do with their individual disabilities. And the result is a very engaging backstage story, one that's of course also achieved by a very well crafted narrative structure that's as much drama as it's documentary, and that makes for fascinating viewing for sure!

review © by Mike Haberfelner

 

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