First Stage's 'Three Little Birds' is an upbeat musical for kids set in Jamaica, based on Bob Marley songs

In First Stage's new show, young Ziggy is afraid to go outside. (After the past few years, can you blame him?) Fortunately, there are "Three Little Birds" to remind him that Jamaica is full of adventure as well as danger.

This upbeat musical, for people 3 and older, is based on reggae giant Bob Marley's endearing song and a related children's book by his daughter Cedella. Michael J. Bobbitt adapted the story for the stage.

First Stage children's roles are double-cast. I saw a Saturday performance by the Jamaican Owl cast.

Ziggy (Reece Davis) would rather stay inside and watch TV, but mom Cedella (adult actor Cynthia Cobb) pushes him to go outside, despite his fears of hurricanes and of encountering a duppy, an evil trickster spirit. Encouraged by his pet Dr. Bird (Ogunde Tremayne), Ziggy heads out with his friend and possible crush Nansi (Amirah Muhammad) — whose name is a sweet riff on Anansi, the African spider trickster.

Turns out a duppy (James Carrington) is after Ziggy, hoping to steal the boy's marvelous hair and absorb its power.

Reggae fans will love that the musical is filled with bits of Marley songs, including "One Love," "Jamming," "Roots Rock Reggae," "Natural Mystic," "Lively Up Yourself," "Is This Love," "Duppy Conqueror" and the title song. It also makes key use of "Brown Girl in the Ring," a traditional children's song that Boney M. turned into a late '70s hit. The three birds — Tremayne, Cobb and teen actor Maya O'Day-Biddle, who completely holds her own with her elders — serve as a pump-up chorus for Ziggy, as he works through his fears. In a sweet little bonus, a solution that's both musical and mathematical helps him defeat the duppy.

Samantha D. Montgomery directed this First Stage production, with choreography by Jamaica native Sonya Thompson and music direction by Benito Leatherwood.

"Three Little Birds" continues through May 21 at Marcus Performing Arts Center's Todd Wehr Theater, 929 N. Water St. For tickets, visit firststage.org or call (414) 267-2961.

First Stage's 2023-'24 season announced

First Stage has unveiled its 2023-'24 schedule. Shows take place at either Milwaukee Performing Arts Center's Todd Wehr Theater, 929 N. Water St., or Milwaukee Youth Arts Center, 325 W. Walnut St. The lineup includes:

"Dream, Quickie, Dream!," Oct. 6-29, Todd Wehr Theater. A world premiere for people 7 and older, adapted by Gloria Bond Clunie from former Green Bay Packers wide receiver Donald Driver's children's books.

"The Forgotten Girl," Oct. 20-Nov. 12, Milwaukee Youth Arts Center. A ghostly tale with an historical element, adapted from a book by India Hill Brown for people 10 and older.

"The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: The Musical," Nov. 24-Dec. 24, Todd Wehr Theater. The singing and dancing version of a popular First Stage story, for people 5 and older.

"Henry IV Part I," Dec. 8-17, Milwaukee Youth Arts Center. First Stage's Young Company of advanced teen actors performs Shakespeare's history play. For teens and adults.

"The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical," Feb. 3-March 3, 2024, Todd Wehr Theater. A musical adaptation of Rick Riordan's popular fantasy novel, for people 7 and older.

"Elephant and Piggie's 'We Are in a Play!,'" Feb. 24-March 17, 2024, Milwaukee Youth Arts Center. A musical adaptation of Mo Willems' children's books for people 3 and older.

"Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Musical," April 6-May 5, 2024, Todd Wehr Theater. An adaptation of Jeff Kinney's popular stories, for people 5 and older.

"An Enemy of the People," April 19-28, 2024, Milwaukee Youth Arts Center. A Young Company performance of Ibsen's drama, for teens and adults.

"Escape from Peligro Island," May 10-June 2, 2024, Milwaukee Youth Arts Center. An interactive thriller that uses audience voting to help drive the action. For people 5 and older.

For First Stage info and tickets, visit firststage.org or call (414) 267-2961.

REVIEW: A simple sea critter turns hero in First Stage's lively 'The SpongeBob Musical'

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: First Stage's upbeat 'Three Little Birds' gets kids moving to reggae