CARLSBAD – When the National Adventurer Museum's quirky curator unveils Johnny Thunder's latest discovery – a time machine recovered in the lost tomb of Cleopatra – she learns evil genius Sam Sinister has stolen the museum's newest treasure.
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“Journey to the Lost Temple”
What: Legoland's first year-round, interactive musical production; designed for kids ages 2 to 12.
When: Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from May 23 to June 9. Every day from June 13 to Sept. 1.
Information: www.legoland.com
park/shows.htm or (760) 918-LEGO.
Cost: Free with Legoland admission, which is $59.95 for adults and $49.95 for children ages 3 to 12 and seniors 60 and older.
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Thunder, a curious reporter named Pippin and 30 kids pulled from the audience must travel back in time to ancient Egypt to recover the pieces to the missing time machine and return it to the museum.
This is the energetic opening scene of Legoland's first year-round musical production, “Journey to the Lost Temple.”
The musical, designed to complement the park's Land of Adventure, features a slew of classical characters and a comical twist.
Cleopatra is an Egyptian with a Valley Girl accent and a penchant for attracting paparazzi.
Sam Sinister is an evil genius who started college at the age of 4 and sings like Elvis.
Johnny Thunder, the show's hero, is a good-hearted adventurer similar to Indiana Jones.
A rotating cast of nine San Diego actors will perform in the show, scheduled to run seven days a week this summer. The score features music familiar to adults, such as “Walk Like an Egyptian,” and “Holding Out for a Hero.”
Shawn Greiner, an entertainment supervisor at the park for more than nine years, wrote the script and directed the musical, which is set to premiere Friday. He got his first shot at writing for Legoland productions when he wrote and directed “The SS Half Mast” for the Pirate Shores attraction in 2006.
“It was interesting, because I'm not a script writer by trade,” said Greiner, who has been acting since he was 5 and was a performer at Legoland before transitioning into his current position.
“This is the biggest project I've ever done. I love being able to pitch a show ... and then being able to see it come to life is so cool. That's my favorite part of doing this whole thing.”
The cast is full of local talent. The youngest in the crew, 16-year-old Christina Dasha Burns of Oceanside, was born in Ukraine but grew up in San Diego. She is a student at La Costa Canyon High School and has been performing in community theater since she was 7.
“This is a dream job,” said Burns, who plays Cleopatra and Moriah the Mummy and has a strong soprano voice. “This is something we'd be doing anyway, but we're actually getting paid.”
Marty Martin, who plays Lord Sam Sinister, Sphinx and Slither (the snake), has been working for the park for more than eight years. When he's not acting, he's a substitute teacher at local high schools.
“I'm a total product of the Legoland Department,” said Martin, who had never acted before joining the staff at Legoland.
He also wrote one of the songs for “Journey to the Lost Temple.”
The rotating cast also includes Michael Ahmann, Rachel Dorman, Shannon Fitzpatrick, Mia Bella Josimovic, Drew Larson, Jenn Mandala-Gravel, Dirk Stenger and Jaysen Waller. Greiner said he developed the concept for the musical with Andy Morrison, the park's technical supervisor; and Yoli Bennett, the wardrobe supervisor.
“We built the show around the kids themselves,” said Greiner, who was challenged to create 30 parts for kids in the audience.
“It's highly interactive. The kids themselves get to get up and participate, and it's a lot of fun. It's full of energy.”
Leah Masterson: (760) 752-6754;
leah.masterson@tlnews.net
