December 2011

Dear Subscriber: 

WHAT AN IMPROBABLE FALL WE HAVE HAD! Can game six of the World Series ever be forgotten? And then the Cardinals emerge as champs—how very exciting for St. Louis.

WE NOW MOVE ON from the intense and sometimes also improbable worlds of Red, God of Carnage and Circle Mirror Transformation to a gentle, inviting, high-spirited world in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. As the real time of the 21st century becomes more odd and contentious, the charms of this unique adaptation of Mark Twain’s classic work will remind you of the special times that only seem to happen in childhood. While revisiting moments from your childhood in this play, you’ll want to read the book with your kids and talk about how to treasure a time that is worth capturing and celebrating. Let me add that this isn’t a "children’s play," it is written and staged in a way that both adults and children over 10 will enjoy.

LAURA EASON, who adapted The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, is about to take the theatre world by storm. She already has a production of her recent play Sex with Strangers scheduled for next year at Australia’s Sydney Theatre Company (led by Artistic Directors Cate Blanchett and Andrew Upton), along with rumors of a possible Broadway run as well. Keep an eye out for her, as she is about to be a very sought-after playwright.

FROM THE VERY BEGINNING of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, she delivers on the title promise of adventure. This spirited and very physical version was created last year at Hartford Stage. Ms. Eason, a longtime member of a very unique ensemble in Chicago as well as a skilled adaptor and playwright, brings her varied experiences to life in this new play. She described her intentions in a recent interview:
I am an ensemble member of a company in Chicago called Lookingglass Theatre Company…that aesthetic is very visual and very physical and has a real strong sense of playfulness and explosion and joy. That essence, I definitely applied to my adaptation of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.

THOUGH WE ARE ALL probably familiar with Twain’s masterpiece from our middle-school literature classes, Ms. Eason’s version is definitely different from what you might expect. We get all the tradition of the story, from the whitewashing scheme to Tom and Becky’s courtship to Tom and Huck’s adventure on Sullivan’s Island; however, all these story staples are delivered in a totally new way, full of unbridled enthusiasm, physicality and fun as well as depth and meaning. In his article, "The Singular Laura Eason," Rob Weinert-Kent described Ms. Eason’s work:
There’s a spectrum of fancifulness in a lot of story theatre that sort of stays above the neck—it’s really intellectual, and it just plays into iconic truths we’ve come to know about iconic works of fiction. What Laura does is bring an emotional and psychological richness and density to the work that sometimes adaptations tend to skip over, like they’re skipping rocks across the water. Her adaptations have a lightness but also some meat to them.

WE’RE PLEASED TO WELCOME Jeremy B. Cohen to direct this production. Jeremy has been a part of this show since its inception and brings it to life on stage perfectly. He has said that his intention is to "surprise and delight you every step of the way," and he does just that. In a recent interview, he explained that it is the perfect time to bring this classic story to the stage because "in a generation of people who spend their time looking down at their iPhones…this adaptation is about lifting people back up, re-engaging and reconnecting with each other." He has certainly accomplished that goal, because from the moment the lights go down, it seems that the whole room is whisked away to childhood adventures and the thrill of simply being a kid.

ALONG WITH JEREMY, we welcome a wonderful design team for this show including Scenic Designer Daniel Ostling, Costume Designer Lorraine Venberg, Lighting Designer Robert M. Wierzel, Props Designer Mark Walston and Fight/Movement Director Tommy Rapley. The magical, original music and sound design is provided by the team at Broken Chord. Our spirited and energetic company consists of Tim McKiernan as the rascal Tom, Robbie Tann as his buddy Huck and Hayley Treider as the lovely Becky Thatcher. The rest of the townsfolk of St. Petersburg are created by Joseph Adams, Justin Fuller, Michael D. Nichols, Nate Trinrud and Nance Williamson.

ALSO THIS MONTH, our Imaginary Theatre Company will stop its tour for a few special performances of their holiday hit, The Elves and the Shoemaker, at Nerinx Hall’s Heagney Theatre. A fun and funny twist on the tale from the Brothers Grimm, this family show brings a dose of cheer for the holiday season. Just a few days before Christmas, a poor shoemaker gives his only remaining pair of shoes to a cold and hungry beggar woman. Little does he know that his small act of kindness will be rewarded in very unexpected ways. The shoemaker is shocked by the appearance of magic elves who turn his simple shop into a great success, thrilling customers with their special creations. The whole family will enjoy this 45-minute, warm-hearted musical, which reminds us that where we find goodness, generosity and hope, anything is possible.

WE’RE DELIGHTED TO HAVE Bruce Longworth back to direct this production for our company including Lakeetha Blakeney, Alan Knoll, Jerome Lowe and Cara Myler. Join us December 17, 21, 22 or 23 at 11:00 a.m. or 3:00 p.m., and come early for crafts, face painting and goodies presented by our Backers Volunteer Board.

WE BRING YOU two shows full of warmth this winter, and we wish your family lots of laughter, comfort and cheer this holiday season. We’re glad you’re spending part of it with us.

See you at the theatre,

Steven Woolf 
Artistic Director

NEW YORK REPORT: Of course, if you haven’t seen War Horse you ought to see it at Lincoln Center. Other Desert Cities is one of the best new plays I’ve seen in a while. It has a great cast and has both humor and a dark side to it. While I don’t see Hugh Jackman’s show until December, the reviews are raves and if you want to see it, I suggest you get tickets now. It runs until January, but it is a very hot ticket and they are pricing accordingly. And if you are in New York in the early spring, this production of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer will be at The New Victory Theatre on 42nd Street.