Diandra Reviews It All-

Watching Trevor The Musical, I was incredibly emotional. It is rare to see a show that both uplifts its audience while confronting a very dark reality. LGBTQ children are endangered. In a world that cannot protect its kids from exposure, it equally cannot protect them from bullying. Yet, how do you raise a child to love himself, despite a world that will tell him he should not. In Trevor, we see a child raise himself and both admire and weep for him.

Holden Halgberger solidfies his future as a Broadway star by giving Trevor a universal feel. We have met this kid, but the question is whether we know him. Taking place in a small town school, Trevor may be in his pre-teens, but he is wiser and more confident than any surrounding adult. He has stardust in his eyes, but if there are certain truths about schools, even if the show is based in the 80s, is that they are NOT the most open to things like, gender fluidity, multiculturalism, sexual/ sexuality education, or even the general exploration of a child into the world of the arts. Trevor is upticking all these boxes, which is why he is either heavily bullied by the school football team or gawked at by adults as if he has a third head. Because Holden is SO GOOD as a lead, you immerse yourself in the pain and pride of Trevor’s 80s childhood, including his obsession with Diana Ross (Aerial Williams), his HILARIOUS best friends (Alyssa Marvin’s Cathy and Aryan Simradhi’s Walter), and his sincere belief that choreographing the high school talent show will make him beloved.

UGH! The beauty of childhood is the genuine faith that things go as plan and, if not, even better. There is such a hope for closure and magnificent resolutions. Filled with an audience of adults, though Trevor’s joy is infectious, part of why you will love this show is that it is bittersweet. Seeing how TALENTED this young cast is including, Isabel Medina as Frannie and Echo Macone as the popular girls,, Sammy Dell as Trevor’s crush Pinky, and Diego Lucano as his bully, I felt drawn to my own childhood where I knew I was a star and absolutely believed that the world would see me shine. Yet, as adults, we know the world will work harder to dim your shine than display it. Thus, you cringe as things get worse for Trevor and, at a tender age, he is not only confronted with suicidal ideation but also a very adult realization: you live your life because its yours… not for anyone else.

If there is one cruel lesson LGBTQ kids will have to learn, despite their youth, it is that you have to be you for yourself. You have to own who you are, despite anyone trying to take that from you, because empowerment comes despite the world, while power comes from it. In essence, empowerment is an individual experience. This may seem like a beautiful teaching on strength and authenticity, but the truth is that its sucks to be young and realize the world is not just “old,” it is stuck. Hate is not an “ancient” concept, it is simply a horrible one. With phenomenal music by Dan Collins and an immersive school/ bedroom set design by Donyale Werle, directors Marc Bruni and Matt Deitchman, have made this musical an Off-Broadway must-see located in Stage 42 Theatre, 422 West 42nd St.New York , NY 10036 , until April 17, 2022. Buy Tickets Here.