Rarely do the words “important” and “entertaining” stand side by side when describing a staged production. In fact, it often seems that the two are in conflict – an important message is hindered for the sake of entertainment, or vice versa. The new musical “It’s All Your Fault, Tyler Price!” manages to be both in a polished and exuberant world premiere at The Hudson Theatre.
As the title suggests, the story mostly revolves around middle-schooler Jackson Hoffman (Charlie Stover) after he punches Tyler Price (Jonah Orona) for bullying his sister Lucy (Faith Graham), who lives with epilepsy. When Principal McKackney (Desi Dennis-Dylan) punishes Jackson for his violent outburst, the boy struggles at first to understand what he did wrong. In lieu of traditional punishment – writing a boring and rote letter of apology – Jackson proposes a different approach.
Here is where the story becomes semi-autobiographical. Emmy Award-winner Ben Decter wrote the music and lyrics and collaborated with Director Kristin Hanggi to write the book, basing the story on his own experience finding treatment for his 17-month-old daughter diagnosed with catastrophic epilepsy. During years of caring for his child, Decter notes that he needed an outlet for the stress and turned to writing music.
Jackson’s father Daniel (CJ Eldred) is a thinly veiled version of Decter himself, a musician who copes with turmoil and pain by writing a musical. The play gets even more meta when Jackson finds his father’s sheet music and decides to perform his father’s musical at school, with the help of some very talented teachers.
But why does Principal McKackney not only let him perform a musical instead of writing an apology, but also act in it herself? And is there enough time in a school assembly for an entire musical? While you may find yourself asking questions like these, “It’s All Your Fault, Tyler Price!” delivers a show with so much heart and charisma that you don’t really care what the answers are.
Decter notes in the program that “Yes, epilepsy features in the story, but in the end it’s really about communication. And love.” This statement rings true in the show, despite at times having an “after-school special” vibe. This might be because the musical has been funded by a pharmaceutical company that develops medication and treatment for people with epilepsy.
Even so, there is a self-awareness in the second act with the song “Stay Safe Side.” Cleverly set to music, it is an actual public-service announcement about what to do when you see a person experiencing a seizure.
What at first seems like a convoluted and somewhat convenient story comes together thematically to play on almost every character, teaching the lesson that it is better to talk about feelings instead of keeping them inside. Adult viewers may find the message simplistic, but the show is nonetheless entertaining for kids and adults alike.
Adding to the enjoyment, lighting by Jamie Roderick and scenic design by Davis Goldstein work in harmony, with a set that morphs seamlessly from the Hoffman’s home to the school yard to the principal's office, and even inside Lucy’s head as she experiences an epileptic seizure. Combined with pro choreography by Maxx Reed and tidy sound design by Robert Ramirez, “It’s All Your Fault, Tyler Price!” feels like a full-scale production such as one might see at the Pantages or even on Broadway.
And the cast is packed with talent, with the most impressive performances coming from the child actors. Often young actors can seem like they are, well, acting – but not here. Charlie Stover is a magnificent Jackson, seemingly born for the role. His middle-school angst is palpable to the audience and he is a natural on stage.
His best friend Coco is played by a precocious Erin Choi, whose talent for acting and comedic timing is nothing short of impressive. The same can be said about Faith Graham as Lucy, who could easily be played unseriously and for comedic relief. Instead, Graham performs with nuance.
The singing and acting talent extends to the adults as well. Jenna Pastuszek is believable as Jackson and Lucy’s mom, Emma, an overworked lawyer and mother. She and CJ Eldred convincingly play parents struggling with kids in middle school.
Enrique Dueñas and Dahlya Glick are delightful as Jackson’s musically inclined teachers, Mr. Torres and Ms. Friss. Both are not only funny, but also fantastic singers and dancers, even treating us to a bit of tap dance.
A crowd favorite is Principal McKackney, played by Desi Dennis-Dylan, who is perfectly cast. Her authoritative personality screams “school principal” and her voice is a joy to hear.
“It’s All Your Fault, Tyler Price!” is an enjoyable romp at the theater, especially if you are bringing kids or young adults. For lovers of musicals, it is a full-blown spectacle with a lovely message to take with you, whether you are young or young at heart.
“It’s All Your Fault, Tyler Price!” continues through Dec. 15 at The Hudson Theatre, 6539 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, with shows Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. Tickets prices start at $25. For tickets and information, visit OnStage411.com or TylerPriceMusical.com. Run time is 2 hours, including intermission.
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