Mill Mountain Theatre is paving the way for regional theatres across the country with their free digital release of Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical, exclusively on Broadway on Demand.
Earlier this year, Mill Mountain Theatre was granted permission by the writers of Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical (Melvin Tunstall III, Greg Borowsky & Douglas Lyons) and Broadway Licensing to produce a digital version of the production, streamed to MMT’s patrons and community partners through Broadway on Demand. This innovative production takes the place of Mill Mountain’s usual summer tour by providing free entertainment and education to the Roanoke community and beyond. “Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical is exactly what the world needs right now,” said director Christopher Castanho. “Major thanks to the writers, Melvin Tunstall III, Greg Borowsky & Douglas Lyons, who have granted us this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to produce their beautiful show. I could not be more excited to share this story of inclusion and love.”
Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical tells the story of 8-year-old Lily Polkadot, who has just moved to the “Squares Only” small town of Rockaway and is the first Polkadot at an all Square school. Experiencing everything from daily bullying to segregated drinking fountains, Lily feels hopeless until she meets Sky, a shy Square boy whose curiosity for her unique polkadot skin blooms into an unexpected friendship. Inspired by Civil Rights pioneers Ruby Bridges and The Little Rock Nine, Polkadots serves as a colorful history lesson, reminding us that our differences make us special, not outcasts.
“This was not only a unique process for us – rehearsing virtually for the first two weeks, filming over several days, and extensive video editing – but is the most important production we will present in 2020. Polkadots is the connection to our audiences, sponsors, and community partners during these challenging times,” said Ginger Poole, MMT Producing Artistic Director. After consultation with leading health officials in the Roanoke Valley and in conjunction with CDC and VDH recommendations, the theatre developed safety protocols that helped keep staff and performers safe throughout the process.
Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical is out NOW in honor of National Online Learning Day, and runs until October 9th. The production is completely FREE and exclusively available through Broadway On Demand. Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical is presented with special permission through Broadway Licensing. Join MMT’s mailing list to get the FREE link to watch the show as many times as they’d like until October 9th.; Visit millmountain.org/polkadots and click the red ‘tickets’ button to watch now.
Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical has a Book by Melvin Tunstall III, Music by Greg Borowsky & Douglas Lyons, and Lyrics by Douglas Lyons. Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical features Alexia Buckner (Lily), Achilles Mulkey (Sky), Nisa Isabella Mercado (Penelope), Madeline Walker (Ms. Square), Roberto Méndez (Papa Square), and AnnElese Galleo (Swing). Directed & Choreographed by Christopher Castanho, Music Directed by Seth Davis, Producing Artistic Direction by Ginger Poole, Production Stage Managed by Taylor Cobb with Scenic & Properties Design by Matt Shields, Costume Design by Cole Spivia, Lighting Design by Travis Kendrick, Projections Design by Victoria Buck & Travis Kendrick, Videography by Richard Maddox, and Video Editing by Christopher Castanho.
Support for Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical comes from all of MMT’s 2020 Season Sponsors: Avis Construction Company, Inc.; BB&T Wealth, Blue Ridge Beverage Co., Inc.; Boxley Materials Co.; Brandon Oaks Retirement Community; Business Solutions Inc.; chocolatepaper; Claytor / Wirt Associate; The Convergence Group at Morgan Stanley Wealth Management; Davenport & Co.; Davis H. Elliot Co.; Dixon Hubard Feinour & Brown; Dominion Risk Advisors; The Dunkenberger Waskey Group at Morgan Stanley; Elk Hill Advisors, Inc.; Entre Computer Center; First Citizens Bank & Trust Co.; 5Points Creative; Freedom First Credit Union; Friendship Foundation; Frith Anderson + Peake; Gentry Locke Attorneys; The Glebe; Harry “Skip” W. Hamilton, III at Davenport & Company; John H. and Michelle S. Higginbotham Family Foundation; Howell’s Motor Freight Inc.; Innovative Insurance Group; Interactive Design Group; Jewell Machinery, Inc.; Lunsford, A Trustpoint Company; Member One Federal Credit Union; Miller, Long & Associates & Mr. and Mrs. Samuel B. Long; Oakey’s Funeral Service and Crematory; P1 Technologies, Inc.; Pinnacle Financial Partners; B. J. Preas; Roanoke Animal Hospital; The Roanoke Star.com; Roanoke Valley Orthodontics; Rutherfoord, a Marsh and McLennan Agency; Skyline Capital Strategies LLC; Skyline National Bank; Sun Tan City; Woods Rogers. Grantors include City of Roanoke Arts Commission; City of Salem; Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia; Sam and Marion Golden Helping Hand Foundation; The Kiwanis Club of Roanoke; The Louise R. Lester Foundation; Helen S. and Charles G. Patterson Foundation; National Endowment for the Arts; Southeastern Theatre Conference; Virginia Commission for the Arts; Actors’ Equity Association; Blue Star Theatres; Center in the Square; Theatre Communications Group; WVTF/Radio IQ.
