Don Rechtman When you think global warming is a boring adult topic for children, think twice. For several years now, the Nanshan Little Orange Castle Children’s Theater Company has been presenting Chinese-language multimedia plays and musicals for children. Well-known stories such as “Cinderella,” “The Wizard of Oz,” and “Mulan” are brought to the stage not only to entertain but also to educate. On Nov. 17, they presented “The Magic School Bus.” Originating in the U.S., this series of books made into a TV series is about a quirky teacher, Ms. Frizzle, who takes her class on an even quirkier school bus that can travel at light speed and change sizes, allowing it to explore the microscopic world of atoms as well as reach outer space. This play delves into the effects and causes of global warming, enlightening children about current efforts and future steps needed to address it. The plot, though simple, carries profound messages: showcasing the challenges our planet faces, understanding their origins, and discussing solutions to counter them. U.S. composer Scott Elmegreen adapted the “Magic School Bus” episode into a one-hour musical featuring at least 10 songs that captivated the young audience. Though the music lacked memorable tunes, it magically transformed the potentially dry subject matter, engaging audiences of all ages. Songs covered varied themes, like a lizard suffering from the excess heat, the impact on weather, tropical islands, coral reefs, and food sources, the CO2 cycle, as well as green energy solutions including solar power. The grand finale, about everyone working together, even included a bit of rap, as the performers walked out to the audience to receive “high fives” from the kids. The acting, while tailored for children, was superb enough to make up for those moments in which the performers may not have excelled in their singing. The production’s standout features included impressive costumes, lighting effects, and a translucent scrim that made the performers appear embedded in the action when glaciers collapse on them or fierce storms blow them away. To accommodate the surging interest in theatrical productions, AC Orange typically stages each show three times on a performance day: in the morning, early afternoon, and late afternoon. Upcoming shows include “The Three Little Pigs” on Dec. 22. (Don Rechtman is a U.S. composer and freelance writer residing in Shenzhen.) | 