Ocean Grove Boy, 12, Stars In "Trolls, Jr." Musical Production

WEST ORANGE, NJ — Poppy and her merry band of Trolls embark on a brand-new musical adventure when "Trolls, Jr." opens at the JCC Metrowest theater in West Orange (May 9-19), starring young local talent.

Ocean Grove resident Desmond Elyseev, 12, will play the role of Branch (originally voiced by Justin Timberlake).

"Branch is the most reserved and rational member of the Trolls as he’s still healing from his childhood trauma of witnessing his grandmother’s death by the Bergens," Elyseev said.

"Branch does not thrive with change, and throughout this story, Branch is faced with bending towards working outside of the box together with Poppy and his fellow Trolls to save them."

Elyseev said rehearsing the new work gave him the space to originate the stage version of a character so dear to him.

"Making creative choices and trying those out within scenes and songs with the cast and creative team are important steps in my character development as an actor," he said. "Learning what might work or not and building it from the ground up brings more of a creative aesthetic vs. taking on a role that’s primarily set in stone. I like the flexibility of knowing that I am able to communicate ideas in a safe community space with the final results being a collective effort. It is so rewarding and fun."

Set after the events of the first film, audiences will return to Bergenland, where the Trolls love to sing, dance and perform. Trouble brews when a strict foreign emissary threatens to disrupt their cheerful world. With the threat of being turned into a diplomatic dish by a vengeful Chef looming over them, Poppy and her friends must revamp their show to meet the high expectations. As the Trolls scramble to make last-minute changes, King Gristle juggles his royal duties, his blossoming romance with Bridget, and the demands of a spoiled aristocrat with a bottomless appetite.

The East Coast premiere event is being staged by Pixie Dust Players and is the latest in a long line of pilot productions that include "Children of Eden, Jr." and "How To Train Your Dragon."

"Mounting a new work is both exciting and challenging. We get to be one of the first to bring the show to life and be a part of developing the future of the title. Both the creative team and the actors get to create the show from scratch without the influence of other productions," said Lindsay Maron, founder of Pixie Dust Players and director of TROLLS, JR. "On the other hand, it means that we are building everything from the ground up from design, to costumes, to storytelling. Because the script and score are still in development, it also means that sometimes scenes and songs are still in draft form, and we need to be ready for changes at any time."

Maron, a Short Hills native and Florham Park resident, founded Pixie Dust Players 15 years ago when, she was 13. The company was originally created to provide opportunities to young performers and deliver underserved populations more access to the arts. It has since grown into a formidable production company that has caught the attention of some industry titans.

According to Maron, audiences can expect to smile and laugh from start to finish with this upbeat, heartwarming show.

"The songs are incredibly catchy, the story is fun and new, and our performers are singing and dancing their hearts out," she said. "It is a great show for audiences of all ages with a little something for everyone."

"Trolls, Jr." runs May 9, May 11, May 16 and May 18 at 7:30 p.m. and May 12 and May 19 at 2:30 p.m. at the JCC MetroWest Maurice Levin Theater at 760 Northfield Avenue, West Orange NJ.

TROLLS, JR features music & lyrics by Joriah Kwamé Book & additional lyrics by Krista Knight This pilot production is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI) and DreamWorks Theatricals. DreamWorks Trolls © (2024) DreamWorks Animation LLC. All Rights Reserved.