There was a nervous energy in the lobby of The Rep before the world premiere of “Project Élan,” and for good reason. For the first time in its 40-year history, the Arkansas Repertory Theatre team conceived, wrote, produced and directed a full musical, top to bottom.
Director/Writer Nicole Capri and writers Conly Basham, Mark Binns, Bobby Banister, Robert Frost, Charity Vance, Jimmy Landfair and Sam Clark spent the last two years sculpting a show about Millennials, deconstructing the most talked-about generation and the trials and tribulations of being young in 2015.
Nearly 60 SMTI (Summer Musical Theatre Intensive) performers from ages 8-27 were about to bring the show to life in front of an audience made up of classmates, families and friends, who were abuzz with anxious excitement. But in only a few minutes time, they would be swaying in their seats, tapping their feet and bopping along to the music.
That’s exactly what we can’t get over: the music. The all-original songs have tapped directly into the “catchy” factor (whatever the heck that is), and be warned: You will find yourself singing them days later. The music covers the scope of radio anthems to traditional theater numbers, but somehow it all blends and makes sense together.
What’s interesting is how well the songs fit each of the six interlocking storylines, and how they immediately pull you back to a specific era on your own personal timeline. There’s something familiar about the sultry ballad “Then and Now” (performed by Will Frueauff as Nathan) bemoaning a young, dissolving relationship; about the optimism in “Gracie’s Song” (performed by Jhonika Wright) and her drive to strike out on her own; and even about the hilariously awkward cruelty of junior high in “In the Hallway.”
The spin? It’s all through the filter of modern technology, from frustration with Siri to the confidence crushing effects of social media. Even so, it’s not all about teenagers. “Project Élan” underlines the fact that, despite your generation, the questions about legacy and love are still the same.
You know exactly what those emotions are like—the passion, the urgency—and you see it played out on stage. When the middle schoolers stand on their desks, you half expect them to shout “seize the day!”
Being a Millennial is tough. “Project Élan” doesn’t shy away from that. The stories are honest, the characters are genuine and, well, the struggle is real. But there’s a current of resounding idealism running beneath this tale, sparkling with vivacity.
Whether or not audience members leave the theater changed by the carpe diem message of “Project Élan,” you can’t walk away without a formidable sense of pride in what the The Rep brings to the stage and a profound respect for these incredible young performers. They’ve taken the road less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.
The show runs through May 16. For showtimes and more information about the play, or to purchase tickets online, visit The Rep’s website. You can also call (501) 378-0405 or stop by the theater’s box office downtown at 601 Main St., Little Rock.