Written by Lucia Winkler
Cinderella's "A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes" acts as an undeclared anthem for Disney, embodying the ambition that its movies stir in the hearts of young viewers. With the "most magical place on Earth" being located just outside of Polk County, it's no surprise that the song started a performance at the Lakeland Community Theatre (LCT).
"Disney's Dare to Dream Jr." was held from Dec. 12 through 14. The musical follows a large ensemble of trainees at a fictional "imagineering studio", who learn to make others’ wishes come true as they embrace their own aspirations.
Showcasing talent amongst local youth, the musical could not be put on without its volunteer cast. Families showed their support by sending in an image of the actor and a sweet note for them to be displayed before the show started.
The performance featured songs from well-known Disney movies, though were set in scenes unrelated to the original story. "I Just Can't Wait to be King" did not allude to the eagerness of a young lion to rise to his destined royalty, but a boy's longing for the future to arrive sooner. Another character expressed her overcoming the pressure to have her own dreams figured out through a rendition of Frozen's "Let it Go".
As the storyline progressed, the trainees grew more confident to express their dreams and help others discover their own. When one girl courageously stepped forward and admitted that she didn't know what she wished for, her peers vowed to stay alongside in her journey. The trainees expressed what dreaming meant to them personally. She came to the final conclusion that she was not confined to a single hope, but could pursue any aspiration that believed she could attain. This heartfelt plot inspired the audience to take pride in their own desires.
The show was concluded by an interactive performance. The ensemble had learned their training was complete, and that they could now inspire new generations of dreamers. The imagineers broke out into song and dance, joining the audience in the aisles. To the audience's surprise, bubbles began to cascade from the ceiling and fill the room. The lively scene left the musical on an exciting note - even the unfounded dreams could inspire enthusiasm for the future.
