With more holiday performances than one can see during the eight days of Hanukkah and the twelve days of Christmas combined, it's still difficult to find family-focused alternatives that don't feature Ebenezer Scrooge, Ralphie or an angel named Clarence. But based upon Louis Sachar's Newberry Award-winning children's book of the same name, which the author also adapted, this well performed piece of theatre has nary a Christmas tree in sight.
Director Matthew Reeder stresses the play's human core, filling his smart story with unforgettable, offbeat characters and a bizarre plot that defies fate and unites characters that live a hundred years apart. Stanley Yelnats's story is about fate, friendship, family and the need to accept responsibility for events seemingly beyond one's control.
Reeder and his design and technical staff masterfully adapt a story that not only quickly shifts between several urban locales and then suddenly deposits the audience in a dried-up Texas lake bed within the first fifteen minutes, but also continuously travels from the present to the past and back again. Brandon Wardell's creative, draped fabric scenic design, enhanced by R. Brad Criswell's bold, atmospheric lighting and Mikhail Fiksel's mood-enhancing sound concept combine, making the story accessible and literate.
The talented cast makes the most of the multiple roles most of them play. Standouts include the story's seven boys, played by college-aged actors, particularly Behzad Dabu as Zero, the reticent young homeless boy who desperately wants to learn to read and write. In the flashback scene, Kristina Johnson shows her versatile talents, transitioning smoothly from the shy, innocent schoolmarm into Kissing Kate Barlow, hell-bent on avenging her boyfriend's murder. Back in the present, Camp Green Lake setting's Allison Latta leaves her mark as the evil warden by ruling the premises with an iron hand and a talent for sarcasm. Tony Buzzuto as Mr. Pendanski perfectly balances his kindly social worker persona with his overt prejudice against certain inmates. And Mr. Sir Tony Zoccoli is hard as nails and unwavering in his menace toward the incarcerated boys, especially the newcomer Stanley Yelnats.
Combined with Adventure Stage's intelligent, inspirational pre- and post-show talkbacks that never talk down to its young audiences, Stanley Yelnats' journey to self-awareness is a worthwhile two hours shared with your family.
Reviewed by Centerstage!
Map it