Black Box Theatre’s ‘The Majestic Kid’: Stream it; you’ll love it

Streaming No String Theatre Company’s (Black Box Theatre) current production of “The Majestic Kid,” my heart ached because I miss Mark Medoff and because I want so badly to be back in a theatre seat, surrounded by other people in a full house watching live theatre. But, mostly, I enjoyed the show.

This talented cast and crew understand the single most important rule of good theatre: No matter what the challenges or difficulties you face, find a way to entertain your audience.

Can’t do a live show because of a pandemic? Keep your actors a safe distance apart as much as you can, use some clever lighting, simple but effective sets and costumes and let the actors stand and tell the excellent story created by Medoff and first produced at New Mexico State University just a year after “Children of a Lesser God” won three Tony awards on Broadway.

The script and the story have aged like a fine wine over 40 years, with classic lines like: “The hero never bites anybody.” “You don’t share the load, partner, you carry it alone.” “The code of the West. What West are you talking about?” “Stop talking about cowboy movies. This is my real life.” “I am not the sidekick.” “I want to be someone who helps people without hurting other people.” “I don’t know if I want to live in a world where the good guys are the same as the bad guys.” (One advantage of reviewing via streaming is that you can stop, rewind and write down a whole quote you would never have been able to remember.)

This is a simple story of good vs. evil, East vs. West, murder, gunplay, death threats, friendship, growing up and finding true love.

Idealists Aaron Weiss (Luz Resendez) and AJ Pollard (Rachel Thomas Chappell) fight for the Apache Tribal Council’s right to the land as they square off against Magistrate Judge William Finlay (Scott Brocato), who wants the land for a toxic waste dump. Lisa Belmondo (Debbie Jo Felix) is a secretary, gourmet cook, student and double love interest; and the Laredo Kid (Joshua Taulbee) is Weiss’ singing, guitar-strumming, six-gun toting, cliche-spouting alter ego.

This is an ensemble cast with strong performances all around – five gold stars. I genuinely enjoyed their work as they sparkled on stage and on screen. Kudos also to Nikka Ziemer for the original music she wrote for the show, and to the creative and thoughtful crew: director Ceil Herman, scenic and light designer Peter Herman, costume designer Robert “Bobcat” Young and projectionist and board operator Bekah Taulbee.

The show is wonderful and the last scene is, well, majestic.

Streaming of “The Majestic Kid” continues Fridays, Nov. 13, 20 and 27; Saturdays, Nov. 14, 21 and 28; and Sunday, Nov. 29. Each performance begins at 7 p.m., and a $10 ticket gives you access to the performance for the ensuing 24 hours.

For reservations, visit www.no-strings.org or www.tktassistant.com/Tix/?u=NSTC/.