Parents Television Council Reviews

PTC reviews aim to provide you with advance information about an entertainment offering so that you can be the final arbiter of what you and your family see.

The Little Red Truck is a documentary that follows the experience of sixty kids who are selected to perform in a full-scale professional musical by The Missoula Children’s Theatre.  The goal is to provide children who are lacking exposure to arts the opportunity to learn about theatre.  The Little Red Truck of the title is packed with everything needed to put on a full scale musical, including two directors. These directors have to cast 60 children and put on a musical in just one week. From blocking, to memorizing lines, to creating sets, youth ranging in age from five to fifteen are responsible for working together and putting on a play. The children learn the importance of hard work and dedication, having to be at practice every day for many hours. By the end of the week, parents, teachers, and community members have a new understanding of their children’s potential.

Parents should be aware that some of the interviews seen in the course of the documentary may be troubling. Thirteen-year-old Austin reflects on his past gang and drug experiences and attributes his successful escape to the Missoula Children’s Theatre. A girl who was diagnosed with an eye tumor mentions that she continued to participate in the theatre program despite her health condition.  One director remembers a girl who stabbed her father in the leg when he was drunk. Also discussed are a few instances in which children were pulled from the musical on the last day because they didn’t tell their parents where they were the entire week. There is also a one instance of slight pushing between two children.

This documentary follows four casts on their way to creating a full-fledged musical. There are tears of shyness and frustration but quite a few smiles as children realize what they really are capable of doing. The testimonials of the instructors, parents, and children are inspirational, as viewers watch the children develop their skills, improve their self-esteem, and learn life lessons through art. 

Because of its good lessons and life-affirming premise, the Parents Television Council is proud to award The Little Red Truck with the PTC Seal of Approval^TM. The PTC recommends this DVD for children over the age of 12.   

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