Breathe in. Breathe out. Now experience “Wild Child,” created by The Breathe Project.
As noted in the Laguna Playhouse program for “Wild Child,” which runs through October 4, The Breathe Project is an independent creative studio developing original stories and intellectual properties across theatre, music, visual narrative and other forms of storytelling.
Founded by Denise Vohra, who also serves as creator and lead producer of “Wild Child,” Breathe brings together artists and collaborators across disciplines to explore how a single story can live beyond one medium—creating interconnected worlds that invite audiences to discover characters, ideas and experiences from different perspectives.
“Wild Child” certainly does just that. The Laguna Playhouse describes the show as a contemporary, pop-driven musical about connection, belonging, and the transformative power of the natural world. Set against the backdrop of a wilderness therapy program in Northern Utah, “Wild Child” tells the story of an unlikely friendship that develops between two troubled teens, Rina and Darin, who are forced out of their digital-age comfort zones and into the great outdoors. They are joined by several more teens who each have a story to tell.
That Laguna Playhouse and The Breathe Project would undertake the challenges of creating a new musical is commendable, especially when the result is as fascinating as this production of “Wild Child.”
The first thing audiences see when they take their seats is the dazzling set. Wood beams are everywhere on the large stage, and they appropriately evoke a woodsy setting, where most of the play’s actions take place.
The story starts with Rina and Darin, teens with issues who are sent by their parents to a camp known as “Wild Child.” There they meet four other teens who were also sent to “Wild Child” to sort out their lives. Everyone at first complains about being there, but as they are led on daily 10-mile treks by a pair of counselors who also have stories to tell, the teens realize through their experiences, including journaling, group therapy, and letters from home, that maybe they have some growing up to do.
While at the camp, Rina and Darin discover they had unknowingly met online while playing a video game. They each have an avatar: Roses for Rina and Kiton for Darin. Those avatars – dressed in their video game garb – pop in and out of the story whenever the characters need them.
The songs are mainly up-tempo pop tunes that help drive the narrative and establish character traits. The earnest cast delivers the songs with aplomb, often while moving about the stage with choreography that fits the moment.
There are several subplots within “Wild Child” with multiple narratives and character conflicts, so audiences need to pay attention as the stories unfold.
As a new musical, most of the show works very well, though some plot resolutions are wrapped up a little too neatly. It is an ambitious play, with multiple lessons and multiple rewards.
For tickets, visit www.lagunaplayhouse.com.
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