A Review

Sight and Sound Conservatory which is the training program for up-and-coming actors and linked to Sight and Sound Theatres, is mostly known for its massive Biblical theatrical productions. However, fitting for the graduating class of 2023 they produced an intimate musical theatre work based on the novel Tuck Everlasting written by Natalie Babbitt. This particular theatrical work is appropriate for young adults as the themes heavily rely on immortality and the importance of appreciating time. Those familiar with the novel will make this connection through the musical theatre retell by Chris Miller (music) and Nathan Tyson (lyricist).

The performances of Tuck Everlasting set at Sight and Sound Conservatory were dated for May 22- 25, 2023, and were made available by Concord Theatricals for production rights. The show was formatted for two acts with a brief 15-minute intermission. The young cast was directed by veteran local actor Michael Lapham and produced by Jeff Bender. The roles that were the most important for the retelling of the story was Winnie Foster (Jessie Waters) and Jesse Tuck (Camden Roach). The remaining cast members consisted of the Tuck family: Miles Tuck (Bryan Willey), Angus Tuck (Connor Cagle) and Mae Tuck (Alyssa Vella) along with Man in the Yellow Suit (Garrett Vanni), Constable (Same Royster), Hugo Jackson (Marion Pelican), Winnie Foster’s Mother (Jacqui Schaeffer) and Nanna (Alainna Wiggington).

While the remaining actors played amazingly the parts they were given, the two main leads legitimately stole the show due to their chemistry on stage. It was heartbreaking storyline of young love thwarted due to eternal generational differences. Another essential character in the show by all measure was the set design created by Glen Broderson. This allowed for the two aforementioned actors, Jessie Waters (Winnie Foster) and Camden Roach (Jesse Tuck) to have a shared encounter with the fountain of youth which is an integral element to the storyline.

The use of the platforms on the set allowed for the actors to move about and display three areas of the community. On stage right was Winnie’s childhood home. Opposite, on stage left was Jesse Tuck’s family’s home. In the middle of the stage belies the harmonious town that was to bring unification and connection between the two main characters. However, we were presented with the Man in the Yellow Suit (Garrett Vanni) who seemingly wants to hunt for the fountain of youth. In other moments, the center of the stage became the actual fountain of youth which was propped high up from a leaning tree. This made the musical all the more aesthetically pleasing as it showcased the harmony of the two sides. It also allowed for the actors to work with varying levels of perspective. This was demonstrated in the song number “Top of the World.”

Due to the stage being on the same level as the audience, these higher platforms were necessary and provided good moments for the actors. Unfortunately, unless a patron was in the front row, they missed a good majority of the ensemble sequences especially when it came to numbers such as “Join the Parade” and “Seventeen.” This was an unfortunate circumstance as each musical number deserved a view, thankfully the more poignant moments in the show were reserved for the upper-level staging.

One of the beautiful aspects of this rendition of Tuck Everlasting was its youthfulness and appropriate casting. It was a meaningful production that captured the brevity of life and how to accept each season as it comes. Although this was a student led production – the singing and dancing which required proper technique in both forums was at the upmost level of excellence. This was fully demonstrated in the second act’s penultimate number choreographed by Leah Rooney “The Story of Winnie Foster” an interpretive ballet of Winnie Foster’s life. This scene along with the Company “The Wheel” Reprise brought many a tear to the eyes in the audience and left an indelible mark for the theatergoers as they left the performance venue contemplating on the value of time.

Rating: 3.5/5
- Megan Poff