On Thursday, June 8th, Peterborough’s newest theatre company, Planet 12 Productions, presents their inaugural production Boy Wonders at The Theatre on King (TTOK) in downtown Peterborough.
Written and directed by Derek Weatherdon, Boy Wonders takes the concept of the superhero sidekick and turns it on its head with a realistic look at what being a young person in that position would actually be like.
Making the play even more compelling is that, with the exception of popular actor Brad Brackenridge, the cast is completely made up of age-appropriate actors all under 14 years old.
Taking place just after World War II, the greatest gathering of American mystery men is taking place at La Grande Hotel Ballroom in New York City. Diamond Man, The Concrete Kid, The Marksmen, Super Ghost, Professor Impossiblo, and Katy Star – Rodeo Queen have come together to create the greatest superhero team of all time.
However, as the crowds gather in the street to witness this historical event, another meeting is congregating in a hotel suite upstairs. The six young sidekicks of these costumed heroes — Shiny the Glimmer Boy (Issac Maker), The Mixer (Brad Brackenridge), Target Boy (Emma Meinhardt), Boo (Aimee Gordon), Test Tube (Samuelle Weatherdon), and Cowpoke (Emily Keller) — are also meeting for the very first time.
As a young starstruck bellhop named Kirby (Abbie Dale) seeks out stories of their heroic adventures, one by one the sidekicks reveal their origins … and the not-so-super realities of their lives.
In an entertainment industry where superheroes and comic book franchises are now big business, Boy Wonders is an interesting original production that deconstructs the elements of the genre. The concept of a masked vigilante throwing a youngster into the line of fire has been a part of comic books since the introduction of Batman’s partner Robin The Boy Wonder in 1940. Since then, it’s just something that readers have accepted as being a part of the superhero tradition.
Originally the sidekick was introduced by writers because they felt having a young character in the story was a way to give the younger readers a character to identify with, and hundreds of teen sidekicks have been introduced throughout the history of comics, primarily in the “golden age” between 1938 and 1950.
But what Boy Wonders does is take a look at just how inane the whole concept is. The idea of throwing a kid into the heat of battle to fight criminals, mad men, and Nazis — where they could be punched, shot at, or worse — is crazy. It’s a concept that other writers have tackled before, but Derek writes a show that puts together all the nostalgia of classic comic books with real-world sensibilities and a ton of pathos. The result is a very different type of superhero story.
Whatever your expectations of a show starring kids are, you probably won’t be expecting what you are going to get with Boy Wonders. Yes, the performers are all under the age of 14 but this show is not “kids’ theatre”. This show is not cute. There is no pageantry. Despite a few funny moments, it’s not even a comedy. It’s definitely not The Teen Titans. Boy Wonders is a drama about a group of kids caught up in a dangerous and strange lifestyle who come together and, for the very first time, realize they are not alone.
What is great about Planet 12 Productions’ talented young cast is how honest their performances are, and how the cast all support one another on stage. Nobody steals the spotlight or upstages any other actor, and Boy Wonders gives each of the performers their moments in the spotlight where they can reveal their stories and deliver lines that pack an emotional punch.
From the boy whose only job is to be shot at to the girl who just wants to go home, Boy Wonders is a story of pain and pathos. However, somehow the youthful energy of the performers prevents the show from drowning in its own tears.
So how does Brad Brackenridge fit into this production? Without giving away too many details, Brad plays a 40-year-old man who has basically been banished to the kids’ table. The interesting thing about Brad’s performance is that his character is equal to the characters played by the kids. Despite his years of experience in the theatre, Brad never overshadows anyone and supports his co-stars as much as they support each other. It’s a fantastic thing to see and adds to the strength of this show.
Each of the kids in Boy Wonders brings something unique to the show, aimed at allowing the audience to pick their favourite characters.
Abbie Dale, as Kirby the bellhop, is wide eyed and optimistic. Issac Maker, as Shiny, is a brilliant detective, filled with big words and a grandiose presence. Emma Meinhardt, as Target Boy, is scrappy and emotionally damaged. Aimee Gordon, as Boo, is charming and ladylike but out of place amongst the other kids. Samuelle Weatheron, as Test Tube, is judgmental yet tragic. Emily Keller, as Cowpoke, is endearing and adorable but sad.
Although their characters are based on one-dimensional stock characters from comics, each of them creates a three-dimensional character on stage with a compelling story to tell.
Furthermore, Boy Wonders goes beyond taking a realistic look at sidekicks to deconstructing masked mystery men themselves. What sort of people would dress up in a mask to fight crime? Through the sidekicks’ stories, we discover that their mentors may not be the heroes we expect. Instead they are madmen, victims of PTSD, con men, and people in over their head. It’s an interesting twist on comic book heroes.
I also want to make mention of the costumes created by Heather Ross for this show. The cast looks great in vintage outfits from the late 1940s. The costume for each performer is as unique as the character itself. From Test Tube’s futuristic jumpsuit to Cowpoke’s Dale Evans inspired outfit, the cast looks fantastic. There are a few costume surprises within the show I can’t reveal, but I will say that a lively discussion of the costuming for this show did happen among the people in the special preview audience after the show. The costumes in Boy Wonders are definitely memorable and beautifully unique.
I admit I have been anticipating Boy Wonders for a while now. When I first heard the concept it really piqued my interest, as well as fed into my own lifelong fandom for costumed heroes. After finally seeing the show I can honestly say that it did not disappoint. It’s not what some people will expect and will really surprise a lot of audience members. The script is very smart and gives the audience a lot to think about.
But most of all Boy Wonders is a showcase for the young actors involved in the show. These kids are not amateurs. I have seen them all on the stage before and they are all very good actors with professional attitudes. Often we underestimate kids in the arts. Boy Wonders proves that kids are not just human props to be moved around the stage in cute costumes. They can offer a lot and can also bring complex ideas and emotions to the stage.
I can honestly say that the kids in Boy Wonders are just as good as many adult performers that I have watched. I really hope that everybody who works in the theatre, especially as directors and producers, will come and see this show and see what these kids can do. These are the future stars of our theatrical community.
Boy Wonders is a unique show that not only deserves to be seen, but will have people talking for a long time. Planet 12 Productions has created something special with this one. This is a show that shouldn’t be missed.
Boy Wonders runs from June 8th to 10th at TTOK. Performances start at 8 p.m. and admission is $10 or pay what you can.
