Andrew Keenan-Bolger deserves a star entrance (like Jessie Mueller, in "Waitress!), but he doesn't get one. "Tuck Everlasting" starts with he and a group of others bounding onto the stage, and we are off and running. Later, into the show, he gets a Star Moment, when he and Sarah Charles Lewis, as Winnie Foster, rise above the stage, and sing on what looks like a gigantic water tower--a la "Petticoat Junction." At one point, Andrew advances forward, with his winning smile, and engaging personality, sending that strong golden voice out into the audience, who knows it is in the presence of a star.
I wanted to see this show for two reasons. The first, I think you know. The second was Carolee Carmello, who has a gorgeous voice herself. She was given such short shrift in "Finding Neverland'--you have Carolee, and you do nothing with her? What's wrong with these people?--but here she has a strong dramatic presence, allowing her strong, glorious voice to sail forth. At one point, I kept thinking how Ms. Carmello should be used more often, and I would love to hear her tear into "Children Of The Wind, " from "RAGS." She would make a superb Rebecca.
Sarah Charles Lewis gives an engaging performance as Winnie, and is no slouch in the vocal department. "Tuck Everlasting" works so well, because it is made up of actors with some of the most gorgeous voices out there. Robert Lenzi, as Miles Tuck, has a second act number that stopped me in its tracks with its impressive delivery, and naked emotion.
Terrence Mann is superb playing, well, Terrence Mann. He is to this story what Mr. Dark was to Ray Bradbury's "Something Wicked This Way Comes," and the set designers' concept of that environment, conjures up a bit of the sinister among the dazzling array of colors that foreshadows the depth underneath this so-called children's story.
For, through the Tucks' encounter with Winnie, and she them, comes a wistful meditation of lives lived and lost, as well as those that are never-ending, and the price one pays for each. This is illustrated in Mr. Lenzi's song, and the climactic scene of the Tucks, standing before Winnie's grave. I cried as much for them, as I did for Winnie. The story is based on a prize -winning children's book, by Natalie Babbitt, but has an emotional depth I found deeply moving, and which I was afraid might be too intense for children. But the kids around me were lapping it up.
Casey Nicholaw's choreography makes dancers out of all, and the transition through time is down in a way, as I watched it, that is almost a nod to "Carousel." I wonder if that similarity was intended.
But see Andrew, Carolee, Sarah and Company in "Tuck Everlasting." Its theatricality is dazzling, as it touches both the heart and the mind.
Kudos to all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And how I would LOVE to climb that tree!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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