Review By Avery Dall-Hilton, Front Row Reviewers
Front Row Reviewers was honored to attend the world premiere of Melissa Leilani Larson’s The Box-car Children at the Creekside Theatre Fest. This all-new production is an adaptation of the timeless classic of the same name, written by Gertrude Warner. The story follows four orphaned siblings in the early 1920s fending for themselves and living in an old, abandoned boxcar. Though very young, the children are able to create a home for themselves, finding odd jobs to bring in money and a heartwarming sense of joy and adventure in their situation.
This production is geared toward young audiences and is perfect for a family night out to the theater. The adult actors take on a few different roles as they set the stage, provide sound effects, and narrate the story so that the four children are centered in the story. It is so charming to see the actors become cows, birds, and with a little puppetry, the beloved stray dog, Watch. The three adults, Michael Smith, Hilary Straga, and James Wakeland do a marvelous job with their several characters and foley work, providing the framework for the child actors to really shine.
Taebria Bybee and Gavin Ward excellently portray the two oldest children, Jess and Henry. Bybee is a warm and engaging personality and brings a lot of grounding energy to the family dynamic. Ward brings the hardworking older brother to life with honesty and heart. The two younger children (Violet and Benny) are played by Caroline Heinrich and Weston Klemetson. They are both delightful with their back-and-forth banter, witty remarks, and close sibling relationship. All four have wonderful chemistry that really convinces us they have known each other all their lives.
Director Blake Barlow has designed a performance that really engages a younger audience. The closeness of the black box theater, the simple set, and the engaging puppetry and foley all work together to create an engaging one act play. Larson’s script is accessible and familiar, and the production team have amplified the focus on story in their design.
The set (designed by Cannon Hadfield) is mainly one large boxcar with several sides to portray different scenes. Sound and lighting (by designer Zac Bringhurst) are minimal, contributing to the simple but intimate space. I particularly loved Bringhurst’s choice in music that transports the audience to a nostalgic time of simplicity. Costume designer Jen Christensen has the adult characters dressed in muted grays while the child characters are in bright colors, highlighting the children’s central role in the story. All the elements come together to form a simple but effective storytelling device, centering on the main story of the children’s independence and close relationship with each other. Stage manager Harmony Brown along with tech crew Maya Wihongi and Lorelai Fox round out the essential team that makes the production possible.
You don’t need a babysitter for this night out! Grab your kids and enjoy this trip down memory lane for all who have enjoyed The Boxcar Children for years. To those who are not familiar with the story, you will be thrilled with this charming and heartwarming story. Don’t miss your chance to see this and the other two shows currently running at the Creekside Theatre Fest.
Creekside Theatre Fest presents: The Box-car Children adapted by Melissa Leilani Larson.
Liahona Theater for the Community, 2464 W 450 S, Pleasant Grove, UT 84062
June 9, 13, 16, 20-21 7:30pm; 14, 21 2:30
Tickets: $12-18
Photos by Jen Christensen
0 Comments