By Manning Harris
fmanningh@gmail.com
The Alliance Theatre’s world premiere of the musical “Tuck Everlasting,” based on Natalie Babbitt’s 1975 novel for young adults, will run through Feb. 22.
Ms. Babbitt’s work has been called a “children’s fantasy novel,” but I hasten to add it has easily transcended categories and has fans of all ages.
The show, which is likely Broadway bound, already has heavy Broadway credits: a book by Claudia Shear (“Dirty Blonde”), music by Chris Miller, lyrics by Nathan Tysen, and direction and choreography by Casey Nicholaw (“Spamalot,” choreography; “The Drowsy Chaperone,” direction and choreography; and co-direction and choreography of “The Book of Mormon.”)
The play, set in New England in 1881, asks a question: If you could choose to live forever, would you? Then, as Alliance Artistic Director Susan V. Booth points out, “Tuck” questions “the very meaning of our humanity” and challenges an audience “to walk out bigger, better, and somehow more whole” for having gone on the journey of the play.
Metaphysical psychobabble? Actually, no. This enchanting piece of musical theatre, with a ten-year-old girl named Winnie Foster (Sarah Charles Lewis) as its central figure, works. If you allow, it will take you out of this world.
“One small story—and the earth opens wide,” says Nana (Shannon Eubanks), Winnie’s grandmother, wiser than she knows; for in one sentence she encapsulates the whole spirit of the evening.
Winnie is feeling constricted by home life with her mother Betsy (Liza Jaine) and grandmother; furthermore, Winnie has a courageous spirit of adventure. While her mother wants her to stay close to home, Winnie wants to explore the nearby woods and springs. She meets 17-year-old Jesse Tuck (Andrew Keenan-Bolger) and sees him taking a drink from a hidden spring, which we discover has magical powers. Let’s just say that Jesse may be older than he looks.
But he is charming, as is his family, whom Winnie soon meets: his older brother Miles (Robert Lenzi), their mother Mae (Carolee Carmello, now Beth Leavel) and her husband Angus (Michael Park). Winnie likes them all, and they return her affection. All the Tucks have drunk from the spring; and their feelings about being “everlasting” vary.
I won’t tell you the specifics, but this scenario opens up all kinds of fascinating metaphysical questions—for the Tucks, for Winnie, and for us. What do you value most in life, and how do you want to live? If you think this is sounding a bit heavy, I assure you it’s just the opposite. This musical play has qualities that are quite magnetic and ineffable; too much analysis here would be pointless and a big-time spoiler.
Broadway veteran Terrance Mann plays the villainous Man in the Yellow Suit; he would like to kidnap Winnie, take her back home (Did I mention she sort of ran away?), and use the magical powers of the fountain for major mercenary purposes. Will he succeed?
The musical score is charming and the dancing, especially at end of the play when it integrates marvelously into the story, is first-rate. The set design is spectacular (Walt Spangler); there’s a tree straight out of Grimm. The actors are largely New York imports and are excellent, with the notable exception of Sarah Charles Lewis (Winnie), who is from the ATL and is outstanding.
The show is wistful, contemplative, and fun, with the promise of romance. You may be quite moved by the end; many were. And yes, I think this show could make it to the Big Apple; time will tell. The Alliance has done itself proud.
For tickets and information, visit alliancetheatre.org.
