SANKARIMUSIKAALI (HERO MUSICAL)
A Performance About Journey, Tolerance, and the Forbidden
Am I beautiful enough, suitably sexy to be the main character in my own life?
How do others see me?
Who am I really?
What is reality?
In a world where everything is sold with sex and where children and teenagers are taught from a young age to rank their peers based on the rules of reality TV, nothing is true—and everything is true. The truth around us is the truth of the ever-changing world of advertising. How can a young person build a coherent self-image and sexual identity and develop healthy self-esteem when surrounded by standards and talent shows, image-based self-esteem mirrors, and sexual stereotypes under the guise of tolerance?
Q-Theatre’s Youth Theatre’s 2012 production, The Hero Musical, explored the growth of today’s youth with a probing approach. The performance was not only a musical but also a parodic take on the hero’s journey dramaturgy familiar from Hollywood films. The production drew from a diverse range of literature and films, as well as the performers’ own texts and improvisation. The audio and movement world of The Hero Musical is a collaboration between youth and theatre professionals.
The central idea of Q-Theatre’s Youth Theatre is to bring forth the voice of young people. The activity was supported by Q-Theatre, the Uusimaa Art Council, the Finnish-Swedish Cultural Foundation, the Jenny and Antti Wihuri Foundation, and the City of Helsinki.
Cast:
On stage: Milla Haakanen, Saara Hämäläinen, Paavo Jokinen, Vilma Kivioja, Janne Kovanen, Ruska Lehtosaari, Tuija Liimatainen, Ella Lymi, Milja Makkonen, Madeleine Melart, Minna Nieminen, Anna Parviainen, Michelle Peteri, Paula Pättikangas, Rosa Salomaa, Aura Salonpää, Ville Sarimaa, Asta Sveholm, Leevi Syväoja, Helmi Tikkanen, Tuuli Torkkola, Mirka Tuisku, Elsi Vertanen, Saima Visti, and Mathilda Westerberg
Direction and Dramaturgy: Jonna Wikström
Sound Design: Markus Bonsdorff
Video and Lighting Design: Terjo Aaltonen
Set and Costume Design: Paula Koivunen
Director’s Assistant: Silja Eriksson
Producer: Niina-Annukka Paukkonen
