Tuck Everlasting
Book: Claudia Shear & Tim Federle
Lyrics: Nathan Tysen
Music: Chris Miller
Performance at The Footlight Club, Jamaica Plain, MA – April 21, 2024, 2 PM
Director: Katie Swimm
Music Director: Jeff Kimball
Choreographer: Alicia Powell
Producer: Val Tracy
Summary/Review:
Based on the 1975 young adult novel by by Natalie Babbitt, Tuck Everlasting is the story of the Tuck family of Treegap, New Hampshire. Mae (Kathleen Comber) and Angus Tuck (Todd Sandstrom), and their sons Miles (Howie Reith) and Jesse (Magdalena Poost) attempt to homestead in the wilderness in 1808 and after drinking from a spring they discover that they cannot die. They keep their immortality secret for nearly a century until they’re discovered by Winnie Foster (Adeline DeFeo), an 11-year-old girl who runs away from her overprotective mother Betsy (Lisa Tierney).
Winnie bonds with the adventurous and mischievous Jesse who tries to convince her to drink from the spring when she turns 17, the same age he gained immortality. But the rest of the Tucks, especially Miles, have less positive experiences with living forever. Meanwhile, the villainous Man in the Yellow Suit (Brian Bakofen) learns of the Tuck’s secret and plans to exploit it for his own gain. All along, the new deputy Hugo (Ash Quasney-Sandler) and Constable Joe (Jim Ansart) attempt to locate Winnie and investigate the Man in Yellow Suit’s suspicious activities.
The musical is a family show that deals with some serious issues of life and mortality with a light touch. There are some terrific musical numbers including “Good Girl Winnie Foster,” “Partner in Crime,” and “The Wheel.” All of the main characters get a solo number to tell their perspective on the story. In the Footlight Club production Adeline DeFeo and Magdalena Poost shine in the lead roles. Ash Quasney-Sandler is utterly charming as the young Hugo and steals every scene she’s in. I also enjoyed the multi-generational ensemble who seamlessly transition from playing villagers, to something of a Greek chorus, and ultimately several of them take the role of the aging Winnie and Hugo in the show’s climax.
Tuck Everlasting continues to play at The Footlight Club through May 4 and is worth checking out if you have the opportunity. Otherwise a performance on a stage local to you would most likely be equally enjoyable.
Panorama of the Mountains 