The future is looking bright if Creative Generation is any indication

Queensland’s largest youth performance production isn’t usually something Arts Editor Phil Brown would attend. But he’s very glad he did.

They had me at Crunchy Granola Suite. I wasn’t expecting that. In fact I wasn’t expecting to even attend Creative Generation’s (State Schools Onstage 2021) latest iteration. I’ve heard about it over the years but thought, well, it’s just a bunch of kids performing for their adoring parents and teachers.

DOWNLOAD: Creative Generation cast photo

GALLERY: The stars of Creative Generation 2021

And on the one hand it is, but these kids are so talented and so endearing and the production, which has one more show to go tomorrow at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre (go if you can), is so professional that I was simply blown away.

It started out beautifully with an acknowledgement of country from Layla Barnett from Coolum State High School who then sang Gurrumul’s Bapa. It was haunting and lovely.

The talent starts young at 2021 Creative Generation – State School Onstage (CGEN). (Image/Josh Woning)

Then there were the dancers of Healing Country, a beautiful First Nations tribute which set the scene for two and a half hours of pure entertainment with a cast of, well, more than a thousand musicians, choirs, dancers and singers (including some amazing choirs) from all over Queensland. It’s a massive logistic operation and I’m impressed at how everything works so well. It must be like herding cats at times.

The theme this year is The Entertainer and the show includes quite a few Hollywood moments and some Jazz Age music too. The musicians are all terrific and the CGEN Symphony Orchestra is conducted by Meg Robson and Sean O’Boyle and these folks are respected figures and certainly get the most out of their orchestra.

This is Queensland’s largest annual youth performing arts event. My credentials for going along to review it? Well I was a student once and I was in our school musical at Miami State High School. We did Camelot and I had one line which I very nearly muffed.

The 2021 Creative Generation – State School Onstage (CGEN). (Image/Josh Woning)

Memories of that came flooding back as I sat there quite awe-inspired by the talent.

This is a feel-good show with a great variety of entertainment and some classic tunes … even Scott Joplin’s Jazz Age number The Entertainer played on the piano by Oscar Matthews, who was terrific.

The Birth of The Blues was done by a CGEN Rat Pack outfit. There was Lullaby of Broadway and Mr Bojangles and Sachi Mehta from QACI (Queensland Academies Creative Industries) did Dream a Little Dream suspended above the stage on a floating half moon. There was a bit of comedy too and the Covid Squad antics added a bit of clowning around and reminded us all of the times we are living through.

One of my favourite moments though was when they cranked up Neil Diamond’s Crunchy Granola Suite sung by Luke Harrison, another QACI student. He was terrific and that song, a Baby Boomer classic, never sounded better.

I was also transported by Jake Lyle from Gladstone State High School who did a spine tinglingly beautiful rendition of Music of the Night from Phantom of the Opera. Love that song. Classy stuff.

And when the kids from various Special Schools joined in for Love is in The Air, well, if that didn’t bring a tear to your eye you could have to made of stone. So heartwarming and so wonderful to see the inclusiveness that this annual event brings to the stage.

A special moment at 2021 Creative Generation – State School Onstage (CGEN) at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre. (Image/Josh Woning)

For some it was bittersweet because this would be their last CGEN performance as they prepare to leave school and move on. So the whole event is tinged with joy and a little sadness. And MC Jesse Baird from Network 10 did a terrific job and helped make it all move smoothly even if it all took a bit longer than expected.

It was a privilege to be on hand to experience CGEN, as everyone tends to call it. Plaudits to the State Government and our Department of Education for sticking with this incredible annual happening.

By the way the show will be televised nationally by Network 10 on November 27 at 12pm. If you can wait that long. If not go along on Saturday and you will see what I am talking about. Enjoy!

creativegeneration.education.qld.gov.au