Touching, endearing and a timeless (get it) story is being told on stage at the Broadhurst Theater. “Tuck Everlasting” a children’s novel by Natalie Babbitt, has been adapted for the stage. The book co-written by Claudia Sheer (“Dirty Blonde”) and notable YA author Tim Federle (“The Great American Whatever”) with Chris Miller (music) and Nathan Tysen (lyrics) putting together a gorgeous score to accompany this beloved children’s book onto the stage at the Broadhurst.
Direction and choreography comes from no one other than Casey Nicholaw, a broadway name stage when it comes to award winning musicals. Nicholaw has an accomplished four shows on the great white way, including hits like the dazzling “Aladdin” and the elizabethan comedic spoof “Something Rotten”. His work in “Tuck” is remarkably different from the show stopping numbers you would see in his other shows. The emotion shines through his telling of the philosophical question that is being provoked throughout the show. None the less to say his show stopping moves do show in a few numbers along with the stunning costumes to match the over the top choreography.
“Tuck” although being a very family oriented show presents the question, “If you could live forever, would you?” Is an everlasting life something worth living? The Tuck family- led by Carolee Carmello (“Finding Neverland”) as Mae Tuck, Michael Park as Angus Tuck, Andrew Keenan-Bolger (“Newsies”) as 17 year old Jesse Tuck and Robert Lenzi as older brother Miles Tuck- come to life in the opening number drinking from the water spring at the base of a tree, it is very much like a fountain of youth scenario.
In the same opening sequence, we meet young Winnie Foster, portrayed by 11 year old broadway newcomer Sarah Charles-Lewis. This performance by Lewis is simply one of the best child performances I have had the pleasure of watching. She truly brings Winnie to life on stage with strong vocal chops and the acting to match. Lewis has a spark in her eye and spunk in her attitude while expressing her frustration as Winnie is being held on a tight leash by her mother after her father passed nearly a year ago.
Winnie skips out against the wishes of her mother behind the woods where she meets 17 year old Jesse (Keenan-Bolger) drinking from that same fountain of youth spring. He invites her to climb a tree instead of drinking from the spring as he is doing. Soon Winnie meets the rest of the Tucks and discovers their everlasting secret that has been kept for so long. The spring holds a magic elixir making the whoever drinks it immortal. Jesse looks 17 but since he drank from the spring it has been 85 years making him 102.
Winnie loves spending her time with the Tucks, seeing how much fun it would to be them and to live forever. She soon sees that everlasting life doesn’t come with everlasting happiness. While deciding whether she should drink or not is the conflict being decided throughout the show. Lewis’ number “Everlasting” is sung with deep emotion and questionable tone with her repeating “Should I? Could I? Will I Drink” wanting to know if the secret to a happy life is everlasting or not.
The book is clear cut as Federle and Sheer both had added comedic relief with the characters Constable Joe (Fred Applegate) and Hugo (Michael Wartella), the two detectives who are sent out to look for Winnie when she does not return home.
It would be a crime not to comment on Broadway Veteran and resident villain at “Tuck” Mr. Terrance Mann, who plays the gleefully delicious villain as The Man in The Yellow Suit. Mann, who’s mission is to find out the Tucks and their secret of immortality gives a performance that is a stand out throughout the production.
The cast is something about this show that is to not be missed. Carmello’s 11’oclock number “Most Beautiful Day” is a powerhouse ballad and provide with a moving performance with vocals that can shake buildings. She creates a moving relationship throughout the show with Lewis as does Park and Keenan-Bolger who’s creating a friendship with someone he can confide in with his family’s secret this carries the plot throughout.
“Tucks” central theme can be daunting for young children, the theory of life and its ending. It is a story however that needs to be told with the moving score and easy to follow book it addresses the theme of life and what comes after effortlessly. Have tissues on hand and be ready for some tears after Angus addresses Winnie while fishing after performing the song “The Wheel”. He tells the young child “Don’t be afraid of death, Winnie. Be afraid of not being truly alive, you don’t need to live forever, you just need to live.”
The final moments of “Tuck Everlasting” however are the most memorable, Nicholaw’s ballet choreography completely takes over and is sweepingly gorgeous. The dancers and cast express without words the meaningfulness of what the story is trying to tell. It is an emotional force and thought provoking piece as well as a refreshing new American musical. “Tuck Everlasting” is truly a beautiful piece, with a cast that is unmatched and filled with everlasting talent. Here’s to “Tuck” bringing everlasting life and love to the great white way.
“Tuck Everlasting” is now open at the Broadhurst Theater, for tickets and more information go to Ticketmaster.com or the box office at the Broadhurst located at:
235 W. 44th street, Midtown West or call 212-541-8457
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