Reviews: Tuck Everlasting at Robinson SS
Written by Josephin Friedrich of Langley High School
Robinson Secondary School's poignant production of Tuck Everlasting beautifully explores the timeless allure and complex consequences of immortality. This production was a delightful tapestry woven with the threads of a remarkably talented and committed ensemble, all highlighted by truly imaginative and enchanting technical design.
Tuck Everlasting is based on a children's novel written by Natalie Babbitt, and was adapted for the stage by Chris Miller, Nathan Tysen, Claudia Shear, and Tim Federle. It is the story of a young girl who stumbles upon a family with the secret of eternal life and must decide if she wants to join them, grappling with the meaning of life and death in the process.
Winnie, portrayed with youthful exuberance by Bella Ragona, truly embodied the rambunctious spirit of a girl who has been cooped up in the house too long. Her energetic presence meshed well with Jesse, played by Jagger Grove, the most mischievous of the Tucks, who was brought to life with impeccable comedic timing. The playful banter and genuine chemistry between these two partners in crime illuminated their connection, making their interactions a highlight of the production.
The traditionally male role of the Stranger in the Yellow Suit, portrayed by Kira Gilligan, was invigorated by a delightfully spunky portrayal from the actress—an impressive and compelling interpretation. She embodied the character in every sense, utilizing every moment onstage to deftly reveal the subtle cracks beneath the stranger's facade of showmanship. Mae Tuck, captured by Ella Brown, in contrast, was an incredibly grounded presence, delivering the character's age, anxiety, and deep sadness with remarkable truth. Her impressive vocals further amplified the poignant weight of Mae's long and unusual existence.
The lighting design for Tuck Everlasting, by CC Mucker, Katie Eagan, and Zaya Economides, helped incorporate subtle storytelling and dramatic effect. Cleverly, a warm, gold-toned wash often bathed the stage during moments set in the past, creating an immediate visual distinction from the cooler hues of the present day. Beyond temporal cues and character motifs, the lighting impressively conjured the lushness of the Treegap forest, with dappled patterns and strategic gobo projections that truly brought the natural world to life. Additionally, the number "The Wheel" was a visual triumph, as ingenious lighting effects not only mimicked the appearance of water but even seemed to ripple and flow, adding a breathtaking layer to the performance.
The hair and makeup design by Agustin Anello Quiroga and Chloe Kang played a crucial role in establishing character and enhancing the narrative. A key element was the nuanced age makeup, thoughtfully applied to reflect the characters' long lives. This ranged from the subtle aging that hinted at Mae's years to Nana's prominent creases, each application contributing to the believability of their age. Beyond traditional makeup, the incredibly talented forest ensemble featured imaginative body art, with whimsical wave patterns adorning the water spirits and delicate vines snaking up the arms of the tree spirits. The hair and makeup team also showcased impressive craftsmanship in their handmade hats and hairpieces, including the mourning veils worn by Mother and Nana (Faith Brosnan and Ashley Jones), as well as the signature hat of the Stranger in the Yellow Suit, each piece a testament to their meticulous attention to detail.
Robinson Secondary School's Tuck Everlasting served as a potent reminder that while some things are meant to last forever, the impact of a truly great performance can feel just as timeless.
Written by Reese Heitmann of South Lakes High School
Golden, dappled sunlight seeps through the gaps between the branches in Treegap, New Hampshire. The familiar melody of a music box playing in the distance. It's August 1893 when Young Winnie runs away from home to the woods with a thirst for life, running into Jesse Tuck, and subsequently meeting the Tuck family, changing her life forever.
Natalie Babbitt published Tuck Everlasting in 1975. The novel branched out into a feature-length film. In 2015, the work evolved into a musical with its book by Claudia Shear and Tim Federle, music by Chris Miller, and lyrics by Nathan Tyson. The production went to Broadway just one year later, a sliver of time compared to the everlasting lives of the Tuck family.
Shining as bright as the sun was Winnie Foster (Bella Ragona). Ragona started with a bright, youthful tone in "Live Like This" and developed a richer and more grounded tone in "Everlasting". Equally streaming with talent was Ragona's "Partner in Crime", Jesse Tuck (Jagger Grove). Despite reaching the ripe age of 102, Grove's innocent and wide-eyed performance lent to boyish comedy with his first question upon Winnie's arrival, asking his mother, Mae, to keep her.
Mae Tuck (Ella Brown) was the root of the Tuck family tree, holding them together through turbulent times. The anchored, emotion-filled performance was supplemented by Brown's enchanting voice, a strong current in numbers like "My Most Beautiful Day" and "The Wheel (Finale)". In scenes of vulnerability and tentative joy, Brown switched from mournful eyes to soft smiles, epitomizing the duality of life and loss, but that one could not exist without the other. Through a spellbinding voice and nuanced understanding of a mother's grief, Brown brought an authentic maturity to the role. Speaking of maturity is Miles (Roberto Valentin), Jesse's older brother. The actor may have been a high school student but had the voice and a deep understanding of grief many years beyond Valentin's own, particularly in the emotional ebb and flow-filled song "Time".
While the two Tucks, Mae and Miles, were masters of time and grief, there were three skilled currents of comedy. Winnie's Nana (Ashley Jones) portrayed the Nana everyone wished they had with constant love, support, and witty quips for Winnie. An unforgettable duo that took the stage by storm was Constable Joe (Noelle Brosnan) and Hugo (Shawn Hubbard). Hugo may have been a clumsy, klutz of a boy, but Hubbard was also able to bring an endearing light to Hugo, who wanted to follow his father's path of becoming a Constable. Brosnan as Constable Joe was a force to be reckoned with in "You Can't Trust a Gal", fully in command of the stage with a flawless character voice and old man mannerisms.
The show's Lighting and Set made for an equally impressive visual as the actors performing. The Lighting (CC Mucker, Katie Eagan, and Zaya Economides) juxtaposed bright, colorful lights for scenes at the fair with dark blue lights flashed clockwise, revolving around Miles, mimicking the 12 hours to represent Miles's struggle with not having enough time with his son and wife. Also revolving around time was the tree stretching from the center to the corners of the stage. Sets (Acer Nicholson, AJ Campbell, Ella Dyal, Liam Koenig) had both a fantastical yet realistic tree as the center point as a representation of the circle of life. Both Lighting and Sets skillfully constructed a stream of symbols, crafting an enthralling ecosystem for the production to take place.
Robinson's Tuck Everlasting made for "The Most Beautiful Day", providing an everlasting memory.