Tuck Everlasting: the Musical, an exuberant family-friendly show by the Pike Road Theatre Company, has audiences captivated by James Keith Posey's solid direction, Kim Isbell's challenging choreography, and the combined talents of an excellent acting troupe who inhabit their characters to tell an important story about family love and what it means to be immortal.
It's a blend of a magical story, relatable characters, a pleasant musical score, and an energetic cast of triple-threat actors-singers-dancers in both the principal roles and ensemble players, which make its two-hour playing time go by in a flash.
It doesn't hurt that three of the River Region's prominent theatre families [Habercorn, Isbell, Posey] are featured here, and are complemented by PRTC's largely veteran performers.
Based on Natalie Babbitt's novel, it tells the story of 11-year old Winnie Foster [a most engaging Emery White] who happens upon Jesse Tuck [masterfully played by Micah Posey] at a spring in the woods nearby the home she's running away from; you see, her Mother [Candi Morton] and Nana [Sarah Viswambaran] don't understand her need for adventure and new experiences.
There are complications, of course: though Jesse appears to be seventeen, he's actually several decades older; he and his family had tasted the spring water which magically granted them "everlasting" life without any apparent physical aging...and Winnie is intrigued. -- When Jesse introduces her to his family -- his mother Mae [Jennifer L. Habercorn], father Angus [Jason Isbell], and brother Miles [Tanner Parrish] -- Winnie sees in them a surrogate family unlike her own, and wants to become like them. Be careful what you wish for.
Meanwhile, Winnie's family has hired Constable Joe and his naively inept assistant Hugo [Thomas G. Habercorn and Jack Posey are a hilarious comical double-act] to find her; and when the "oily" Man in the Yellow Suit [Kevin Morton] gets wind of the spring water's effect, he sets out to make his fortune in selling it.
Fluid operation of moveable set pieces transition from one scene to the next; lighting enhances atmosphere, though often leaves actors' faces hard to see; costumes help develop characters; the play's many songs develop the plot and character conflicts, and are presented with clear diction and a good balance with the recorded sound-track.
And the choreography -- Kim Isbell is in top form with this production, creating complex dance patterns and movement; requiring the cast to give full commitment to extensions in footwork and arms, and in faces that tell their story. They are highly disciplined and confident. Well done.
Ultimately, a decision must be made: should Winnie drink the water and join the Tucks, or should she remain with her family and live as Nature dictates? While there are pros and cons on both sides, Tuck Everlasting: the Musical dramatizes it in a striking ballet sequence that requires no dialogue to communicate a satisfying conclusion.
