Shakespeare Meets the Beatles

by Charlotte Kovalchuk • photos courtesy Jennika Cook Johnson

Crazy Train Collaborate Stages Summer Spectacle

The Crazy Train Collaborative delighted the Liberty Hill community with its first summer musical on July 26 and 27 at Cross Tracks Methodist Church. This unique production from Liberty Hill’s new community theater featured a lively fusion of Shake-

speare’s Twelfth Night and Beatles parodies. The production showcased the talents of 20 performers aged 6 to 18 with support from a dedicated crew of about 10 friends and family. Creative Director Jillan Hanel — the mastermind behind the show — penned the script and lyrics for 11 scenes and eight songs in less than four weeks. Faced with the challenge of providing a creative outlet for local kids without an established community theater (yet), Jillan’s solution was to create an original work.

Although many of the performers were on stage for the first time, the cast brought their characters to life with enthusiasm and dedication. The production featured vibrant costumes, lighting, sets, and even concessions, which created a fully immersive theatrical experience. “Some of the lines and songs and chore-

ography weren’t fully realized until show week but that didn’t stop these little thespians from putting on an awesome show,” says Jennika Cook Johnson, producer of the Crazy Train Collaborative. “We couldn’t be more proud of how the show turned out and we are looking forward to many more events in our community. We love Liberty Hill, and we love the arts. We are excited to bring a family community theatre to our town and hope that the community will support us as we grow.”