When you wish upon a stage - IOL

A group of teens are preparing to entertain audiences in Disney’s Dare to Dream JR. production from September 30 to October 11 at the National Children’s Theatre in Parktown, Johannesburg

Young performers will take audiences on a century-spanning musical journey when the National Children’s Theatre (NCT) stages the South African premiere of "Disney’s Dare to Dream JR." from September 30 to October 11 in Parktown, Johannesburg.

The 60-minute musical revue features 18 teenagers aged between 13 and 18, who will perform more than 20 songs from across Disney’s 100-year musical legacy.

The production brings together much-loved classics from Disney’s golden era, including "Snow White" and "Pinocchio", with contemporary favourites from "Frozen", "Encanto", "Moana", "Coco" and "The Lion King".

Written by Disney Theatrical Group, "Dare to Dream JR." celebrates a century of Disney music while exploring themes of ambition, identity, creativity and the courage to pursue one’s dreams.

The story follows a group of young “Junior Imagineers” as they arrive for their first day at Walt Disney’s legendary Imagineering Studios. As they work together, they discover how dreams can inspire, connect and transform people.

The musical features songs including "When You Wish Upon a Star", "Be Our Guest", "A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes", "Hakuna Matata", "The Bare Necessities", "Let It Go", "You’ve Got a Friend in Me", "Part of Your World", "How Far I’ll Go", "Friend Like Me", "Surface Pressure", "Try Everything", "Remember Me", "Go the Distance" and "I Just Can’t Wait to Be King".

But according to the production team, the show is about more than revisiting familiar Disney songs.

At its heart, "Dare to Dream JR." is a story about growing up, finding one’s identity and discovering what the future might hold. It explores dreaming big, self-belief, collaboration, perseverance, creativity and imagination.

Some of the themes include dreaming big, believing in yourself, collaboration and teamwork, perseverance and creativity and imagination.

"Every song in this show is one you already know and love, some go back to when Walt Disney first started. Our job is simply to remind you why.

"The main message from the show is you can dream of becoming who you are meant to be," said "Dare to Dream" director Ivor Jones.

He believes the production will appeal to both adults and children.

"The children will be seen dancing, singing and acting while telling the story of fulfilling your dreams. It's not a traditional Disney show which has one hero, instead the production centres on a group of young people finding their way.

"NCT likes to educate and entertain. The show celebrates the creative spirit of every young person," said Jones.

The production also marks another chapter in the National Children’s Theatre’s partnership with Disney Theatrical Group. The collaboration previously brought "The Lion King JR." to South African audiences.

"'Dare to Dream JR.' embodies everything we stand for. These are stories and songs that children across Gauteng already carry in their hearts, and when they hear them performed live, by young learners their own age, on a real stage, something shifts.

"They begin to see themselves differently and believe that the stage might be theirs too. This is why we do this work at NCT, and why this production matters," said Belinda Germeshuizen, NCT's chief operating officer.