Japing around with "Jack"

Riverwalk has a rich history of producing children’s plays and “Jack and the Beanstalk” is a wonderfully spun romp in fairytale land, Directed by Lee Helder and Music Directed by Doug Austin.

As with all the children’s shows that Riverwalk produces during the holiday season, there is a certain formula that they tend to follow, but gosh-darn it, the formula works. There is the flawed hero, typically a villain of some mythical nature, and something that needs to be saved – in this version, it happens to be Jack’s village, and well, Lucky, the cow.

Most people know the story about Jack and the Beanstalk - not being a very conscientious boy, Jack dreams away the day while his mother cooks and cleans and finds herself in a state of destitution. She sends Jack to sell their only cow for money so she can feed them both, and he gets swindled by a con man for some magic beans. She's disappointed her son would believe in anything that foolish and throws the beans away, leaving Jack to feel jolly rotten about himself for being such a dope. Over night, the magic beans actually create a beanstalk that grows up into the sky, and he decides to climb it, and - well, I don't want to give it all away...Stan Gill wrote this version of the fairy tale and includes a few characters to help out along the way.

The three minstrels did a fine job narrating the story for us – Bob Murrell was the most easily heard and understood of the trio as well as the most expressive, but Sara Sonnenberg and Charlotte Ruppert stuck closely by and engaged the audience and helped to cheer Jack along through the show.

Jack himself, actually played by Laura Johnson, made for an amiable enough figure – however she was rather one note throughout the show. It would have been nice to see her play Jack with a bit more of a 'Peter Pan' type of energy. She never seemed surprised, or scared, or even sad that she had to sell Lucky her cow. But she sang well, if a bit softly, and certainly looked the part of Jack.

At the opposite end of the energy spectrum was Ann Glenn playing Jack’s mother. What a riot to watch Ms. Glenn in her interactions with Jack – she towers above Ms. Johnson, and without any heart at all sends Jack off to sell Lucky, their only cow. She didn’t have a "pretty" song in the show – instead her song lectures Jack and Ms. Glenn puts quite a bit of gusto into it. What fun. And I wouldn't want her mad at me.

Probably the scene stealer of the show was the cow, played to pun-perfection by Shannon Leigh-Bonney. Ms. Bonney’s costume first of all was as adorable as, well, a cow’s costume could come – udders and all. Her wise-acre comments, meant to be over-the-top and something for the adults to enjoy, didn’t push the limits of being too obvious as to be groaners. And, I for one, was incensed that Mr. Helder, as the Bean Guy, tricked Jack into buying the cow for some silly beans. It seems I’d forgotten that part of the story and so when Mr. Helder came out as a Bronx/Joe Pesci wise guy type and swindled Jack, I was rather crushed to see him laughing and leading Lucky away. Kudos Mr. Helder, for breaking my heart when you took the cow, you trickster you.

It is always a delight to see Marilyn Steegstra on stage and there isn’t anyone who can top Ms. Steegstra in playing the role of a dryly humored cook of ill temperament and foggy memory. She delivers her lines with a bite, and although dancing may not be her forte, in “Jack,” her character as the Giant’s Cook was given a few chefs – Tim Beam and Scott Larson – to help her do her work. These guys also doubled as crew, more or less, to help unfold (and refold) the simple yet effective set designed by Paul Marisch. One other note here to compliment Diana and Bruce Rochowiak on their bright and well-planned scenography.

I’m not quite sure what to think of the Singing Goose, played by Susan De Rosa – she was something of a cross between Madeline Kahn and, uh, well a goose. I have no idea but for some reason “Blazing Saddles” came to mind. Take it for what you will – it was a hoot.

Ms. Emily McKay as the Singing Harp was interestingly outfitted; her petite frame and shy demeanor next to the giant lent itself to her song and situation. Her voice was quite beautiful and I would have liked to have heard more of it.

And last, but not least, we come to Edric Haleen, the irascible and imbecilic giant that Jack steals from (or rather, steals BACK from) to help his village. Mr. Haleen always has a presence on stage and even when he’s hebetudinous, he’s still quite interesting to watch. Oh yes, and in some places quite repulsive, actually, too, but in a ridiculously-over-the-top-wonderfully-bamboozled-still-chewing-and-yelling-and-spitting-out-food-that's-gross-but-little-kids-love kind of a way – but then, I suppose that’s what giants are supposed to be. Mr. Haleen rapped across an easy line between being big and loud but not too scary for the smaller children in the audience. I thought it was also kind of him to sit in the lobby afterwards so he didn’t seem quite as imposing.

A few technical notes of appreciation go to Tom Ferris and Doug Austin – Mr. Ferris played guitar, mandolin and banjo, and Mr. Austin also played the keyboard for the show. The music was delightful and the interesting mix of the different acoustic instruments made for a much more satisfying show to listen to. Jack Hetherington created a fun lighting schematic for the kids to enjoy for certain events, and the costumes by Lee Helder were also very well put together. All in all it was a fantastic show for the family.

I encourage you to catch a performance – it still runs for two more shows tomorrow, Sunday, and then next weekend. The details are below.

JACK AND THE BEANSTALK

Nov. 28-30 & Dec. 5-7 & 12-14
RWT Mainstage
Show Times
Fri. 7 p.m.
Sat. & Sun. 2:00 & 4:30 p.m.
Ticket Prices $7 Adult (16 & up), $5 children
Call 482-5700 for reservations