THE BASICS: Mark Twain’s 1876 children’s classic, adapted for the stage by Laura Eason. The Buffalo production plays weekends at the New Phoenix Theatre, through December 21st. Chris Kelly directs a cast of ten. The show runs approximately two hours. There is a single fifteen minute intermission.
THUMBNAIL SKETCH: The timeless adventures of Tom Sawyer, Becky Thatcher, Huck Finn, et al, set in the imaginary town of St. Petersburg, Missouri, 1840’s. Boys at Play, Ingenious Schemes (like getting others to whitewash a fence for you, and making a big entrance at your own funeral), Young Love, Magical Cures, Caves and Graveyards, Murder and Mortal Danger–all find their way onstage, deftly whipping up emotions in the young and old alike. Nearly 140 years later, this is still great stuff!
THE PLAY, THE PLAYERS AND THE PRODUCTION: The 2010 adaptation by Laura Eason adheres quite closely to the original book. It relies heavily on a Narrator, though, to make the necessary transitions from scene to scene. Certain details (like Muff Potter’s alcoholism and the fate of the found treasure) get short shrift, and the intermission point seems pretty arbitrary. But these are quibbles; the script is certainly solid overall.
Director Chris Kelly makes considerable theatrical hay with only a bare-bones set, with the help of sophisticated (sometimes a cappella) crooning, fine guitar work, and some colorful and inventive costumes by Loraine O’Donnell. It doesn’t hurt that two of the leads spearhead a popular local band, the Albrights. I suspect that this will boost ticket sales. And Brandon Barry is a pretty darn good Tom. Would that Joe Donohue brought the proper “otherness” to the more difficult role of Huck. He is just too much of a Regular Fellow here. Petite, elfin Rene Landrigan makes a pretty fair Becky Thatcher, and Wendy Hall has a nice turn as Tom’s long-suffering Aunt Polly. As Joe Harper, Kevin Craig wins the (imaginary) award for most successfully impersonating a child (always an issue in productions such as this). John Kaczorowski’s theatrical Narrator is a solid plus, although his delivery occasionally dips to the point where words get lost. To my mind, the company standout is Anthony Alcocer as Injun Joe. Taut and muscular, seething with rage, but delivering his lines with a frightening quiet control, Alcocer makes one hell of a villain!
IN SUM: A pleasant introduction to a literary classic, this TOM SAWYER is good alternative holiday fare, perfect for the entire family. The New Phoenix production is pretty accomplished, especially the ensemble singing. Unless you go expecting true theater magic, you will not be disappointed.
*HERD OF BUFFALO (Notes on the Rating System)
ONE BUFFALO: This means trouble. A dreadful play, a highly flawed production, or both. Unless there is some really compelling reason for you to attend (i.e. you are the parent of someone who is in it), give this show a wide berth.
TWO BUFFALOS: Passable, but no great shakes. Either the production is pretty far off base, or the play itself is problematic. Unless you are the sort of person who’s happy just going to the theater, you might look around for something else.
THREE BUFFALOS: I still have my issues, but this is a pretty darn good night at the theater. If you don’t go in with huge expectations, you will probably be pleased.
FOUR BUFFALOS: Both the production and the play are of high caliber. If the genre/content are up your alley, I would make a real effort to attend.
FIVE BUFFALOS: Truly superb–a rare rating. Comedies that leave you weak with laughter, dramas that really touch the heart. Provided that this is the kind of show you like, you’d be a fool to miss it!