By Jennifer Mustoe
When I was young, my family and I went camping and in the evenings, my mother read us Tom Sawyer. I don’t remember every bit of the story, but I do remember the highlights. It is these highlights that make up the storyline of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, performed by Spanish Fork Community Theater.
First, I must say, I have never seen so many adorably dressed, talented, spunky kids onstage for a production that wasn’t just for children’s theater. From small to tall, there seemed like there had to be around 50 kids–or more! And all of them looked like they were having a blast. They definitely added to the show, as they provided a moving, living background, just like the small town life Mark Twain created for Tom Sawyer.
To summarize the story: Tom is incorrigible, lives with his maiden Aunt Polly, has an annoying brat of a younger brother Sid and falls in love with the new girl in town, Becky Thatcher. Huck Finn, the son of the town drunk, is Tom’s best friend. There are a couple of bad guys, Injun Joe being the baddest of them, who provide the conflict.
Tom Sawyer is played by Coulsen Bingham and I really can’t say enough about the talent this young man possesses. He can sing–my, can he sing–but he also has graceful, athletic movement. And about a ton of stage presence. I have honestly rarely seen someone take the stage like he did. Excellent casting choice by director Adam Cannon. I also laud Cannon for being able to block, inspire and motivate so many actors in one production! Tom’s love is Becky, played by Ondine Morgan. She is a lovely actress with a beautiful voice and worked fabulously with Bingham. My only disappointment is she had so few songs. She needs a vehicle where she sings more often. She is a delight. Huck, played by Beau Wilson, was a wonderful best pal for Tom and the two actors cuff each other and goof around very believably–as if they really are good friends.
Dana Keller’s Aunt Polly is very good. When she’s supposed to be crabby and stern, she does it well. But during her lullaby she sings to Tom as he goes to sleep, she is so kind and sweet. A very lovely moment. Bad guy Injun Joe, played by Jarom Loch, was delightfully despicable. He was really greasy/creepy. I say this as a compliment. Widow Douglas, played by Debbie Maurin, was also good–with a fun dance with Huck and a beautiful, clear voice.
The production ran mostly smoothly, with only a few sound blips. But the lighting seemed a little off, like the spotlight wasn’t bright enough or something. The set was minimal until the cast went to the spooky cave and then set designer/master carpenter David Henry (who also played a likeable Judge Thatcher) went all out. The cave was magnificent.
The music, with the dozens of children and adult ensemble, sounded great–kudos to music director Krystal Bigler. I can only imagine what some of those rehearsals were like with all those kids! There were A LOT of songs and each one was really good. The solos by Tom and his duets with Huck and Becky were the highlights.
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The real stars in this show besides the three leads, however, were the costumes by Maureen Robinson, who made everyone look homespun but gorgeous, too, and the magnificent live band that accompanied the entire production. I don’t usually name the players in bands in shows, but I am in this review because these people were really amazing. Band leader/drums/percussion: Jesse Christopher; Guitar/mandolin/banjo: Mark Geslison; Bass/guitar: Isaac Geslison; Piano: Andrew Tyler and Fiddle: Sarah Insalaco.
This is a family show, but I am giving this show a PG rating. Injun Joe stabs someone. And though there isn’t blood spurting or anything, if your child is very sensitive, don’t bring him or her. However, this show with its many, many fun musical numbers, many cast members and fun storyline is really pretty much a show everyone will love. It also isn’t remarkably long, or it didn’t seem like it to me.
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
July 24, 25, 26, 28, 31, Aug. 1, 2 7:00 PM
Spanish Fork Community Theater
Spanish Fork High School, 99 N 300 West, Spanish Fork, 84660
$6.00 and $8.00 http://sfctonline.org/
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