Perhaps your children or grandchildren saw “Frida Libre,” a world premiere production of La Jolla Playhouse Pop Tour that continues playing in San Diego schools through Friday. Now it’s your turn. In order to relate what to expect and what children in 50 San Diego schools have seen, this writer went to John Muir School (K-6) on March 25 to observe the original musical, written for the Playhouse by Karen Zacarias (book and lyrics) and Deborah Wicks La Puma (music) and directed by Rosemary Newcott. The story concerns transformation and the overcoming of fear. Alex (Steve Limones) is a shy little boy growing up in Mexico City. He never raises his hand in class. The maestro (Spanish for “teacher”), played by Steven Lone, introduces Frida (adorable Camden Gonzales), the first girl ever accepted into the special school for students gifted in science. Frida needs a science partner. “Why did I raise my hand?” sings Alex, who eventually admits Frida’s “not bad, for a girl.” Their science project is metamorphosis, and the musical, which entails capturing a caterpillar and documenting its eventual emergence through drawings and writing, changes both youngsters. Each confides their dreams and hopes. Frida, who is crippled from polio, wants to be Frida Libre (the free), and the shy Alex wants to be Super Luchador (Spanish for “fighter,” or in this case, wrestler). More than a bit of magic realism is involved (thanks to the fourth company member, Rae Henderson) in the tale, based on the childhood of the Frida who became artist Frida Kahlo. Lot’s of the kids know this in advance, because they’ve had in-class preparation for the play. The story is geared to children, but this adult found herself moved by the uplifting story. The most fun was observing the children as they watched Frida and Alex point over their heads to things seen in the sky. So vivid were the proceedings in their minds that the children turned to see what Frida and Alex were seeing. The kids’ questions following the performance were amazing. Now it’s your turn to see the magic of theatre, by bringing your children and letting them ask their own questions. “Frida Libre” will be showing this weekend at the Playhouse. Although the performance at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 2, is already sold out, seats remain at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday and both 1 and 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 3. La Jolla Playhouse is located at 2910 La Jolla Village Dr. For tickets ($9-$12), visit www.lajollaplayhouse.org or phone (858) 550-1010.
