Where The Lost Children Play: A Dystopian Love Story

Every local theater has its own unique charm. The Blue Moon Theatre is a tiny theater in Woodstown, NJ that is no stranger to big talent. Each show only seats about 20 people, but if you're able to get yourself a ticket you're in for a treat.

Back in July, the theater put on a show called "Where The Lost Children Play", an original by Hannah Lee DeFrates. I was intrigued by the title of this unknown play and wanted to know more. I watched both opening night and the penultimate show---and I think everyone who didn't see this show was missing out!

The play started with an intro video titled "The Laundry Room", which shows characters Caraway and Meadowlark chained while seated. A Minotaur-type character lurks in the background before leaving. Caraway is sad about not getting to live a normal life anymore and had many things they wanted to do, mainly getting a job and getting married. Meadowlark suggests doing those things anyway. A short montage ensues. Meadowlark then claims that they're going to die today before being taken away by someone in a plague mask. The prequel video is the one seen above.

The video continues to the next "episode": "Where The Lost Children Play". While Caraway is still chained up in the Laundry Room, a new prisoner appears. Her name is Willow. Willow then recites a letter to her fiancée, Poppy, and this officially begins the show.

The Timekeeper---a narrator of sorts; played by the director, Jim Cook Jr.---then takes us back 17 years. Willow and Poppy are 15 years old, and other characters are introduced: Daff, Willow's brother, is 9 at this time; Chrys is 8; and Violet, Poppy's sister, is 6. Willow introduces the gang to the stairwell, which is never occupied because, as Violet puts it, "We all use the elevator." The five then begin to use the stairs as a sacred place, as their "Willowhaven". Eventually, they play Peter Pan, and the title begins to fall into place. The entire play takes place on the stairs, in the Willowhaven. Containing where the story is makes it all the more compelling.

As the play goes on, the audience comes to realize that the characters live in a building where they have to wear plague masks. Supposedly there's a plague in the outside world, so no one is allowed to leave. Most of the dystopian elements take place in the background of this story, an intriguing choice that may leave audience members with questions about this world.

I found everything about this show to be interesting; practically every detail felt intentional to the characters and their story. One thing I liked from a writing/casting standpoint was how the characters were played by the same actor regardless of age. The youngest characters start off as elementary schoolers, but by Act 2 they're in their 20s. I find this intentional given the title and its connection to Peter Pan. While Peter and his Lost Boys will never grow up, these characters never actually got to be children in the first place. They all had to grow up fast in their dystopian environment. Willowhaven gives them a chance to actually be children---especially Willow and Poppy, the eldest daughters who had to care for younger siblings when their parents moved upstairs and they never saw them again. These characters are simultaneously never growing up and never getting the chance to just be a kid.

Since this play only has five actors, I feel like the story is impacted by who is playing these characters and how. Each actor brought something special to this show.

Cecilia Grassi played Violet, the youngest and most intellectual character who is often seen with a book in her hand. Grassi brought whimsy to the character in her younger years and depth in her adult years. Her stand out scene is a one-on-one conversation Violet has with Poppy about their parents and the Order of Contagion. The emotions Grassi portrays truly brings Violet to life. Her distress is palpable.

Stacy Bachman played Chrys, Violet's best friend and Daff's love interest. Chrys seems to have a strong sense of justice, but a sensitive heart. Bachman's best scene in portraying her is likely not even something that literally happened in the story. Chrys speaks to the Minotaur, the creature that lives in the Laundry Room. Bachman plays this small scene with so much shakiness that it's hard to believe she had dry eyes in her next scene. This character has so much emotional depth that Bachman was able to convey in every scene, even in the smallest of movements.

Benjamin Weidner played Daff, the only boy in the story. Daff has the most growth throughout the show, and Weidner shows it brilliantly. A goofball with stupid puns in his youth becomes an emotionally intelligent adult---though his humor never leaves him. Daff was the character who had me laugh out loud the most. Weidner's capabilities as an actor were highlighted at the second showing I saw, which happened to be the one that was recorded. At the end of the show, in his last scene, Daff and Violet are talking about their sisters. Daff claims that something Violet says "sounds like an inspirational quote from an embroidered pillow or something." Violet responds, "Lot of words for a pillow. Whoever made it would have to stitch really small." Weidner goes to deliver his next line, but then clearly messes up. He says, without breaking cadence or character, "Words are hard," then continues on with the scene. The way he was able to continue in character without missing a beat or going off-track from the conversation shows Weidner's capabilities as an actor.

Lori Thompson played Willow, founder of Willowhaven and Poppy's love interest. While there was no singular scene where Willow stood out, she was captivating in every scene she was in. Willow is clearly the leader of the group. Everyone, both on stage and in the audience, gravitated their eyes to her. She always had a story to tell, and everyone always sat intently to listen. Thompson was able to convey both Willow's silliness and seriousness with ease. Whether she was worrying about her little brother or pretending to be Peter Pan, Willow was at the heart of every scene. Her love for every character shone through with everything she did.

The most standout performance of the show for me was Lauren LaScala, who played Poppy. While Willow is the heart of the story, Poppy may as well be its narrator. As Act 2 goes on, Poppy's sanity cracks more and more---until she finally snaps. LaScala's onstage breakdown is impressive and took my breath away both times that I saw it. I wouldn't be surprised if LaScala used real-life pain for this scene because it was so convincing.

I've never seen a show quite like this one. Every single detail made the show captivating. I look forward to many things now because of this show: what Hannah Lee DeFrates will write next, how the next theater will portray "Where The Lost Children Play", what the actors will do next, and what the Blue Moon will do next. At least a couple of these will be answered soon: The Blue Moon Theatre is putting on "The Rocky Horror Show" in late October. I, for one, cannot wait to see it.

For anyone who was unable to see "Where The Lost Children Play" live, I've heard that there will be an upload onto YouTube of Saturday, July 25th's performance. I highly recommend watching it. You will be transported to a world with endearing characters.