‘Schoolhouse Rock Live’ pumps up the energy, volume

Combining education with entertainment can be an extremely effective

learning tool. If a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down, a

healthy dose of rock music can aid in the digestion of elementary

school curriculum.

Costa Mesa’s Vanguard University is employing this exciting

instructional method with its high-voltage production of “Schoolhouse

Rock Live,” the stage version of the popular television series that

ran on ABC from 1973 to 1985, presenting English, math, history and

more in a lively musical format.

Director Amick Byram has assembled an extremely energetic ensemble

of eight performers to impart these lessons, backed by a four-piece

band that often assaults the eardrums. This excessive volume on the

part of conductor Aaron Genzink and his three bandmates is the only

negative in the production, as the musicians appear to vie with the

actors for audience comprehension.

Fortunately, the eight performers are more than capable of holding

their own in these situations. Byram has shifted the spotlight among

them, giving each his or her moment of glory, though a few do stand

out above the rest during their individual and ensemble lesson

periods.

There is, for instance, Jordan Byers, the de facto leader of the

group of accelerated educators that converges on nervous grade school

teacher Jeff Fazakerley just before his first day of school. Byers

punctuates his portions of the show with a trademark gusto on which

the rest of the cast seems to feed.

Kelsey Cooke is the most impressive female performer, particularly

in the second act when she heads a retro ‘50s version of “Figure

Eight” and blasts into orbit as “Interplanet Janet.” Ashley Estrada

is equally entertaining in her musical explanation of the function of

nouns and heading up a women’s suffrage march for a history lesson.

The champion show stealer, however, is Michael Mulligan in an

Elvis impersonation reminiscent of “Bye Bye Birdie” and a snappy

rendition of “Conjunction Junction,” in which he explains the

function of the “and, but, or” portions of the vocabulary.

Others in the high-powered ensemble are Deborah Chesterman, Tony

Console and Jenna Lloyd, all contributing terrific backup for a show

that thrives on the physical energy of its performers as much as

their musical talent. And Fazakerley’s befuddled teacher soon joins

in the fun, blending seamlessly into the upbeat octet.

Musical director/arranger Vanda Eggington has given the show a

rock solid background, which only occasionally threatens to usurp the

performances.

Kerry Cass and Cambria Holford have combined to choreograph

“Schoolhouse Rock” to near-perfection.

“Schoolhouse Rock” is a popular property that has seen recent

local productions at the Costa Mesa Civic Playhouse and Newport

Theater Arts Center. The Vanguard version overflows with ensemble

excellence.

IF YOU GO:

* WHAT: “Schoolhouse Rock Live”

* WHERE: Vanguard University Lyceum Theater, 55 Fair Drive, Costa

Mesa

* WHEN: Tonight at 8, Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m.

* COST: $8 -$15

* CALL: (714) 668-6145