Disney's Mulan Jr. comes to the Mansfield Playhouse

MANSFIELD - The story of how a brave girl who wanted to save her father's life ended up saving the entire nation of China will be told this weekend and next at the Mansfield Playhouse.

The curtain for Disney's Mulan Jr. rises at 7 p.m. Friday, Saturday, June 15 and June 16, then again 2:30 p.m. June 17. The five shows will be the last of the season for the playhouse.

Admission is $13 for adults, $12 for seniors 61 and older and $8 for students 12 and younger. Tickets can be purchased online at www.mansfieldplayhouse.com, or by calling 419-522-2883.

"It's based on an ancient Chinese legend, which is based on what is believed to be actuality," said Mark Jordan, artistic director of the Mansfield Playhouse.

Jordan and the 30 children — ages 9 to 18 — of the cast have been working hard for the past two months, alongside Craig Green, the musical director, and Tammy Wertz, the choreographer.

"The sheer energy of this thing is incredible," Jordan said. "The story is compressed and fast moving. Even with intermission, it's only going to be an hour-and-a-half show."

The musical combines dance, song and acting, all set on a beautifully painted stage that is lit artistically throughout the performance.

The star of the show is Brooke Young, 17, who plays Mulan. Her character's father is being forced to return to military service, despite having a severe leg injury that will inhibit him on the battlefield. Mulan decides she can't let him go.

"She steals his armor, and enlists in the army," Young said.

Although she's been acting since she was 7, Young said this show has allowed her to expand her acting abilities.

"She switches from a woman to a man," Young explained. "She learns a lot about herself."

In the end, though, Mulan gets to return to being a woman. She is discovered and sent home, but returns to battle to protect China.

She gets a little help from Captain Shang, played by Cameron Wertz, 15, who has also been a thespian most of his life.

"Act 2 is where it gets into the fighting," Wertz said.

He confesses his love for Mulan, and allows her to stay and fight.

"They have their own thing going on," Wertz said with a smile.

Jordan was glad so many children auditioned for the production.

"It's nice because close to half of them have never done a show at the Playhouse," Jordan said. "It's great to get new people involved."

The musical required many swords, wigs, costumes and other effects the Playhouse didn't have readily available. To help them acquire those supplies, the Richland County Foundation provided a $2,500 grant, just for Mulan Jr.

"Without that, it would have been hard for us to get all of those things," Jordan said. "Now it's on us to put on a spectacle."

ztuggle@gannett.com

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Twitter: @zachtuggle