The Broadway Players and Music Department of Fairfield High School will present Firebringer, a New Stone Age Musical, this weekend with performances Friday, May 1st and Saturday, May 2nd at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, May 3rd at 2:00 p.m. at the Mitcheltree Slechta Edgeton Auditorium. General admission is $10, or $8 with an FCSD activity card.
Fairfield High School is among the first high schools in the country to stage Firebringer, an original comedy musical from StarKid Productions. Set at the dawn of civilization, the show follows a tribe of cave-dwellers struggling to survive without tools, fire, food, shelter, or protection from wild animals. When creative thinker Zazzalil accidentally discovers fire, life in the tribe is transformed — though as with many inventions, the discovery brings danger and destruction alongside comfort and safety. The production features a vibrant blend of comedic musical theatre and modern pop-rock. Audiences will see the school-friendly version of the show.
Leading the cast is Daisy Trent as Jemilla the Peacemaker, the tribe’s organized and pragmatic leader, and Nicole Hunger as Zazzalil, the creative problem-solver whose accidental invention changes everything. Bidhi Dangol plays retired leader Molag, who serves as narrator and provides insight into the tribe’s past. Manon Kermott and Elliott Ward play Emberly and Keeri, the food tester and head gatherer working to keep the tribe fed. Mady Smithburg plays Ducker, the tribe’s spiritual guide, and Tristen Garretson plays Grunt, an exile from another tribe who becomes both artist-in-residence and love interest for Emberly.
Rounding out the cast, Divya Keith plays Shwoopsie, the inventor of comedy, while Naomi Stiemsma plays Tiblyn, whose job is to hold up the sky. Zef Hennesy plays Smelly-Butt, the brave but not-so-bright protector of the tribe who eagerly faces down Snarl, the apex predator. Sonya Antonova plays Chorn, a mysterious and somewhat-human figure who joins the group. Members of another tribe include Lelan Blomme as Clark, Bella Jaeger as Nicola, Laney Bowers as Claire, Taryn Roeman as Kid 1, and Jami Hames as Kid 2. The ensemble features Lelan Blomme, Laney Bowers, Logan Carroll, Bidhi Dangol, Jami Hames, Bella Jaeger, and Taryn Roemen.
Noel Wotherspoon directs the production, with vocals under the direction of Zach Reiter. The pit orchestra is conducted by Tyler Nunziato and includes Jim DePriest, Marlene DePriest, Jim Edgeton, Teague Hannes, Kannan Kranz, and Christian Rasmussen.
Firebringer was originally produced by StarKid Productions, with music and lyrics by Meredith Stepien and Mark Swiderski, book by Nick Lange, Matt Lang, and Brian Holden, and arrangements by Clark Baxtresser and Pierce Siebers.
