Gabi Bradley as Winnie in “Tuck Everlasting” Courtesy of Zach Rosing. Used with permission.
It never ceases to impress and amaze me when I see Summer Stock Stage musicals, because of the professional quality of their productions. That estimation still held true after I saw “Tuck Everlasting,” Friday, at the newly renovated The Frederick J. Ayres Auditorium at Park Tudor School.
“Tucl Everlasting” – Courtesy of Zach Rosing. Used with permission.
“Tuck Everlasting” is based on an American children’s novel of the same title, by Natalie Babbitt. Its music is by Chris Miller, with lyrics by Nathan Tysen and book by Claudia Shear and Tim Federle. The musical opened on Broadway on April 26, 2016, at the Broadhurst Theatre but closed after only 39 performances.
Taking place in 1893, the musical tells the story of the Tuck family who drink water from an enchanted spring and become immortal. When they encounter Winnie Foster, a young girl who lives in their rural New Hampshire town, she becomes friends with one of their sons, Jesse, a free spirit, who soon offers her the secret to everlasting life. She then must decide if she wants to join the family who she has befriended, in immortality, or choose to live out her normal life. Ultimately, “Tuck Everlasting” is a timeless story of family, love, friendship, and loss. It’s a sweet and sentimental tale but I found it rather banal. Plus, the score was pedestrian and simply unmemorable.
Though the work itself was not my cup of tea, I did find much to feel positive about the production itself. SSS co-founder Emily Ristine Holloway, did a superb job of producing as well as directing the inclusive cast drawn from 20 area high schools. A fine actor herself, she always does an impeccable job of casting and this SSS offering was no exception. For want of a better description, these were triple-threat performers, with all showing first rate talent as actors, singers, and dancers.
“Tuck Everlasting” – Courtesy of Zach Rosing. Used with permission.
Gabi Bradley. Remember that name. She starred as Winnie, the fearless, independent, and willful young girl who dreams big and yearns for adventure. Turning in a phenomenal vocal and acting performance, Bradley, an incoming senior, at Carmel High School, is a rising star and destined for great things.
Also turning in excellent performances were Westfield High School incoming senior Collin Alber as Jesse Tuck and incoming Crawfordsville High School senior Thomas Bowling as Miles Tuck.
Responsible for the show’s appealing choreography was former Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre and Dance Kaleidoscope dancer Philip Crawshaw and Lilly Wessel who choregraphed charming ballet sequences.
Leading the show’s accomplished eleven-piece band was pianist Micael Raunick, noted director of choirs at North Central High School
Contributing to the slick technical elements that SSS has become known for, is the show’s creative team that consists of set designer Maggie Jackson, costume designer Anthony Sirk, lighting designer Michael Moffatt and sound designer Zach Rosing. Deserving of praise too, is the show’s technical director, Nick Chamberlin.
Throughout my jaunts covering the performing arts, SSS audiences are among my favorites because, consisting mainly of families and friends, they are often the most joyful, enthusiastic, and highly vocal in their response to loved ones on the stage. There is nothing more heartwarming than to witness that kind of support for our next generation of musical theatre artists. It always gives me hope.
“Tuck Everlasting” continues through Sunday. For tickets and information visit summerstockstage.com
