Many readers will be familiar with the movie version which was  its original form. This movie was adapted for the stage in a musical format with  the book by James Lapine and  music and lyrics by William Finn. The musical adaptation works well.

In LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE, the Hoover family has seen better days Richard, the father, is a less than inspiring motivational speaker.  Grandpa has been kicked out of his retirement home for bad behaviour. Uncle Frank has recently tried to kill himself after his boyfriend dumped him. Moody teen Dwayne has taken a vow of silence and much put upon mother Sheryl grits her teeth and holds it all together.

But energetic and optimistic Olive, the youngestHoover believes the world is full of possibilities and enters a children’s beauty pageant.

Seeing a chance to change its luck, the dysfunctional and fractious family packs its beat up Kombi van and embarks on a cross country journey from New Mexico to California, hoping that Olive will win the title of ‘Little Miss Sunshine’.

This was a very enjoyable night at the theatre. LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE has such a feel good tone,  it  proves irresistible.

The ‘model’ of the car which the Hoover family use to get around the countryside  was very cute.

The production was well directed by Deborah Jones with good pacing and a good feel for the humour in the play.

The performances were first class. John Grinston  was well cast as the eccentric, kind hearted grandfather, Edwin.

Julian  Ramundi was suitably good natured as Uncle Frank who is recovering from a serious bout of depression.

Fiona Pearson was a delight as the matriarch in the family. She  had good stage presence and  was very watchable as the mother who everything had to ‘go by’.

Martin Grelis played the part of OIive’s father Richard well with his Type A personality and his ambitions as a motivational speaker and a life coach.

Christopher O’Shea played the quirky, sullen role of  Nietzsche reading Dwayne, Sheryl’s son from a previous marriage who  has ambitions to be a test pilot and won’t talk again until he achieves his goal. O’Shea depicts his characters’  moodiness and erratic behaviour well

Kiera Dzeparoski was a delight as the bubbly, vibrant, irrepressible Olive who everyone wishes the best for.  Kiera’s singing was first class.

The trio of mean girls, who appear out of windows in the set were well played  by  Grace Ryan, Aneke Golowenko and Ellacoco Hammer McIver.  

Adam van den Bok played multiple roles including those of Joshua, Kirby and Funeral Worker.

Gavin Leahy excelled playing four roles, those being  Larry, Buddy, a Doctor and Uncle Jeff.

Sarah Furnari gave a hilarious performance as the MAP bitch as well playing Linda and Miss California.

The creative team’s efforts were all good including set designer David Marshall-Martin, lighting designer Michael Schell, costume designer Bobbi Rickards and sound designer Dana Spence.

With summer just around the corner, this feel good musical is just the feel good tonic that one is looking for.

LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE is playing the New Theatre, 542 King Street, Newtown until Saturday 14th December, 2019.

Featured image : Martin Grelis and Fiona Pearson in ‘Little Miss Sunshine’. All phtographs by Bob Seary.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dwayne (Paul Dano), Sheryl’s son from a previous marriage, is a Nietzsche-reading teenager who has taken a vow of silence until he can accomplish his dream of becoming a test pilot