Shadow Kids

Rock musical sheds light on the challenges surrounding the foster care system

A new musical, “Shadow Kids” is coming to the Darress Theater in Boonton this fall. Like other popular social issues productions like “Rent” and “JUVIE,” “Shadow Kids” is out to prove that theater can help raise awareness and ultimately inspire change.

“Shadow Kids” is a true story based on the experience of three-time Perry award nominated writer Keith Brown, who was a foster kid from age two until he aged out at eighteen. The story follows the lives of four foster kids who maintain their friendship over the course of sixteen years despite constant separation and profound hardship.

“While I have met many wonderful and caring people in the system, the truth is that the system is rife with corruption. Attach a budget figure to a kid and the result is often kickbacks, over-medication, and in some cases institutionalization,” said Mr. Brown.

“Shadow Kids” also focuses on the critical subject of aging out. Statistics show that kids are not prepared for the real world when the system cuts them off at eighteen. More than half of all foster kids will become homeless, and among men more than half will be convicted of a crime.

Despite its weighty subject matter, Shadow Kids is first and foremost an entertaining show with an uncensored attitude. The music was written by Chris Rich, a seasoned composer and producer who has been writing rock operas since high school. “I’ve always loved the art of blending rock and theater. It’s just a great medium to come up with something innovative and fresh,” said Mr. Rich.

“Shadow Kids” has a limited showing at the Historic Darress Theater in Boonton, NJ. Show dates are September 23^rd, 24^th and 30^th at 8:00pm, and October 2^nd at 3:00pm. Tickets can be purchased at shadowkidstix.com. For further information or inquiry contact the production company at email address lostinthefield@comcast.net or Visit our Facebook page @ Lost in the Field Productions/ Event.