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| Winnie (Natalie Schroeder) meets Jesse Tuck (Eddie Grey). |
What if you could live forever without aging? Would
you jump at the chance?
Not so fast, say the never-aging Tuck family members
in “Tuck Everlasting,” the musical presented by TheatreWorks Silicon Valley.
An 11-year-old girl, Winnie Foster (Natalie Schroeder,
alternating with Katie Maupin), learns the secret of the family’s longevity and
has that choice in her New Hampshire hometown in 1893.
However, her new friend, 17-year-old Jesse Tuck
(Eddie Grey), advises her to wait six years until she’s his age. She waits and
makes the right decision.
The book by Claudia Shear and Tim Federle is based
on Natalie Babbitt’s popular children’s novel of the same name.
Tuneful music by Chris Miller with lyrics by Nathan
Tysen makes this intriguing premise even more enjoyable.
Add in direction by artistic director Robert Kelley
and a dynamic cast, and it’s a great way to celebrate the holidays and the
inevitable cycle of life.
It begins with a brief scene in 1808 when the Tucks
– Jesse, mom Mae (Kristine Reese), dad Angus (Jonathan Rhys Williams) and older
son Miles (Travis Leland) – happen to drink from a spring at the base of a huge
tree.
When they realize what has happened to them, they
try to avoid other people and arousing their curiosity.
Winnie sneaks out of her house where her mother,
Betsy (Teressa Foss), and grandmother, Nana (Lucinda Hitchcock Cone), are still
mourning the death of her father a year ago.
After she encounters Jesse, she’s forced to his
home, but her stubbornness and defiance earn Angus’ admiration. He allows them
to sneak off and go to the fair that’s passing through town.
One of the carneys, the scheming Man in the Yellow
Suit (Michael Gene Sullivan), finds out about the spring’s magic water. He wants
to bottle and sell it, but he needs to know where the spring is.
In the meantime, Winnie’s worried mother asks
Constable Joe (Colin Thomson) and
his bumbling new assistant, Hugo (David
Crane), to look for her.
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| Colin Thomson (bottom) and David Crane. |
Of course she does return home.
This is a show filled with memorable scenes, such as
the carnival’s arrival through the audience (“Join the Parade”).
The best and most moving scenes come last. No words
are spoken as the actors enact the passage of time with weddings, births and
deaths during a reprise of “The Wheel (of Life).”
Leading the opening night cast was the dynamic,
poised Schroeder as Winnie. Not only does she act and sing well, she dances,
too. She’s a triple threat.
Without singling anyone else out, suffice it to say
that everyone else in this outstanding cast is praiseworthy, too.
This production is enhanced by Alex Perez’s
choreography, Joe Ragey’s set, Pamila Z. Gray’s lighting, Fumiko Bielefeldt’s costumes
and Jeff Mockus’s sound. The excellent orchestra is led by musical director
William Liberatore from the piano.
Both entertaining and thought-provoking, this
holiday treat is suitable for both adults and youngsters. It’s not to be
missed.
Running about two hours and 20 minutes with one
intermission, “Tuck Everlasting” will continue through Dec. 30 at the Lucie
Stern Theatre, 1305 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto.
Photos by Kevin Berne
