Directed by Norway Bay musical theatre prodigy Maya Harris Harb, the production consisted of a selection of scenes from the 1996 comedy flick along with a number of songs sung by the kids to the delight of the many parents and relatives filling the seats.

The performance was filled with funny moments drawing plenty of laughs from the audience, namely from Camillo Harris as the evil teacher Ms. Trunchbull, whose antics left many audience members laughing uncontrollably.

Since the play provided a lot of magical elements to it, the production team used a projector with a screen to depict the supernatural parts of the show and the various settings in the most realistic way possible, according to Harris Harb.

“There’s quite a bit of magic in this show,” she said. “For example, we needed the chalk to move. So, we used the projector for that. Because there are so many backdrops in this show, I thought it would be cool to have that sort of pizzazz with different backgrounds.”

At the end of their performance, cast members were greeted with a momentous standing ovation, as they proudly bowed to the crowd before feasting on some delicious cupcakes backstage.

In addition, Sarah Murray of the Norway Bay Municipal Association delivered a brief speech thanking Harris Harb for her outstanding humility and her countless contributions to the community’s musical theatre program by presenting her with a small glass trophy called the Rising Star award.

According to Harris Harb the best part about the production was finally seeing the kids shine in front of their loved ones, something she never get tired of seeing.

Having worked with the kids for two hours every day for the last month, she was very pleased with how the group handled the work load and entertained the crowd.

“Every time they go out on stage, I’m so proud of them,” she said, with tears in her eyes. “I think that they showed how perseverant they are and how strong they are to go up on that stage and use their nerves as energy and put on such a good show. It was amazing.”

In the case of 13-year-old Harris, the opportunity to work with someone of Harris Harb’s level of expertise in musical theatre is an experience that brought her great joy and was a great inspiration for the entire group on and off the stage.

“It’s amazing,” she said. “Maya’s the best, everything about her. She’s calm. But she gets things done and she’s very creative and I love how she’s just the perfect director.”

For Harris Harb, the most memorable part of the experience was the bond she shared with the kids, the good times they had and all the challenges they went through as a group.

“When I look back at this, I’m just going to think of all the kids,” she said. “I’ll always remember them.”

Considering her admirable level of humility, her unique sense of creativity and her unrelenting love for musical theatre, she seems destined to make it big somewhere, Murray said.

“I see her on Broadway for sure,” she said. “She’s such a gift and I’m confident that it will continue.”

After wrapping up their fourth theatrical production in as many years, with such a positive turnout, Murray is confident that the municipal association’s musical theatre program’s plays will be a mainstay in the town for years to come.

“We’re going to continue to do it, as long as there’s an appetite,” she said.

Pictured, Camillo Harris gazes into the crowd as she portrays the evil teacher Miss Trunchbull.

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