By Khalida Sarwari
Saratoga resident Whitney Moore is bringing the character of “Mulan,” a protagonist who is not an ordinary Disney princess, to the stage in Sunnyvale this month.
The 15-year-old said she auditioned for the role after coming across an announcement on the Sunnyvale Community Players’ website. The SCP is a nonprofit that’s been around for 47 years and focuses on preserving the performing arts in Silicon Valley.
“I love ‘Mulan,'” Whitney said. “I think it’s a great story, so I was very interested in it.”
First brought to the screen in 1998 by Disney, the story of “Mulan” is based on the Chinese legend of Fa Mulan, the daughter of aged warrior Fa Zhou who takes up arms and disguises herself as a boy to spare her father from military service when the Huns invade during the Han Dynasty.
Featuring a tuneful score that includes such classics as “Reflection,” “I’ll Make a Man Out of You” and “Written in Stone,” the SCP’s version of the musical is directed by Cindy Powell, who guides the audience through Mulan’s journey of self-discovery as she becomes a warrior to protect her father and save the emperor of ancient China.
Whitney describes her character as a girl who stands up for her own principles and values and doesn’t let society define her. Mulan, she said, “demonstrates courage, self confidence and a fighting spirit.”
“I love the story,” said Whitney, a ninth-grader who is enrolled in independent schooling at Heart Christian Academy in San Jose and Pioneer Family Academy in Campbell. “It has women empowerment, which is very inspiring, and I just love her character. I think she’s very strong and brave and such a good role model.”
Added Whitney, “She’s awesome.”
Because of how iconic the character is, Whitney said she tried to be conscious about portraying her with the right balance, which presented a bit of a challenge.
“I just wanted to make her my own and keep her authentic, but still keep all her values and strengths there,” she said.
An actress since she was 8 years old, Whitney said she remains “very involved” in theater. Mulan is her first production with SCP.
Fellow Saratogan Joan McCarthy is also a part of the 34-member cast and plays the role of Shang.
The SCP production of “Mulan Jr.” features two different casts: monkey and tiger. Whitney is in the tiger cast, which is scheduled to perform at the Sunnyvale Community Theatre, 550 E. Remington Drive, Sunnyvale, on March 4 at 8 p.m. and March 6 at 1 p.m.
The content is appropriate for audiences of all ages. Tickets range from $12 to $22 and can be purchased online at sunnyvaleplayers.org or through the box office at 408.733.6611.
