Narrators of Bus' Big - (from left) Pitchy Patchy (Jenice Jackson), Belly Woman (Ricardo Barrett), and Queen (Lakeisha Elliston) - bus' a move at the launch of the production at the Knutsford Court Hotel in New Kingston last Wednesday.

A vibrant, energy-filled musical presentation is what will greet audiences who turn out at the National Arena on December 1, according to the managers and members of the Area Youth performing arts troupe, who unveiled their 2007 production, Bus' Big at the Knutsford Court Hotel in New Kingston last Wednesday evening.

The 24-member troupe offered those in attendance a small taste of the show - performing a few scenes and musical numbers much to everyone's delight - before promising a bigger feast come December 1 (2:00 pm and 7:00 pm).
Bus' Big is being staged in observance of the 10th Anniversary of the Area Youth Foundation under the patronage of Grammy Award-winning superstar, Orville 'Shaggy' Burrell.

With script and lyrics by Owen 'Blakka' Ellis and Winston 'Bello' Bell and directed by renowned theatre practitioner, Alwyn Bully, Bus' Big follows the residents of a small Jamaican community called Rainbow Park, who are celebrating the return of local superstar, Rocky, who has just won a Grammy. But gang warfare and other conflicts threaten to rip the community apart. It is up to Rocky and his friends to find a way to unite the community once again. Up-and-coming actor, Andre Morris, will star as Rocky, while Norda McKenzie-Creary will portray his love interest, Chrissy. Other members of the cast include: Michael 'M'bala' Bailey, Ricardo Barrett, Tenuke Doyley, Jenice Jackson and Lakeisha Elliston.

The cast predominantly comprises members of the Area Youth troupe, many of whom have been performing for years, while a few others were fortunate enough to land a spot in the cast after successfully competing on the recently-televised talent show Mus' Bus' Big.

These cast members show why dancing will never die in this scene from Bus' Big, which was launched at the Knutsford Court Hotel in New Kingston last Wednesday. (Photos: Joseph Wellington)

"We are very privileged to have a very good team behind this production and it promises to be a big, spectacular show," director of the Area Youth Foundation, Sheila Graham, told the gathering. "We have had to overcome many major setbacks but like the Phoenix, we are rising from the ashes. This production truly represents a major step forward as Area Youth continues to move from strength to strength."

Since 1997, the Area Youth Foundation (a non-governmental body), has been working to change the lives of young Jamaicans, primarily in the Corporate Area, through its arts-based programmes.

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