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Johnny Tremain
By Esther Forbes
Adapted by John Hildreth
Directed by Katie McLean
At Lifeline Theatre
6912 N. Glenwood Ave.
Chicago, IL
Call 773-761-4477, tickets $14 – $26
Fridays at 7:30 PM
Saturdays at 4 & 8 PM
Sundays at 5:30 PM
Running time is 2 hrs, 25 min with intermission
Through April 9, 2006
Johnny Tremain an entertaining history lesson
Who says history can’t be fun? Not Lifeline Theatre. Company member John Hildreth has adapted the 1943 coming-of-age novel, Johnny Tremain, by historian Esther Forbes, into a pleasant, light-hearted tale of the American Revolution set in Boston from 1773 to 1776. Peopled by the likes of Paul Revere, Samuel Adams and John Hancock, Johnny Tremain (Geoff Button) is the fictional silversmith apprentice turned horse boy who helped the Sons of Liberty spy on the British military during the opening salvos of the American Revolution.
Lifeline Theatre’s original adaptations features a multi-tiered set complete with a movable wood platform designed by Alan Donahue with terrific lighting by John Sanchez and sound design by Adam Kozlowski that create the atmosphere that suggests 18th Century New England. Lindsey Pate’s costumes include powered wigs, full dresses and buckled shoes and breaches with tri-cornered hats and vivid red-coated British uniforms with muskets.
The story centers on the 15 year-old apprentice silversmith, Johnny Tremain (player with boyish charm by Geoff Button) whose future is shattered when an accident leaves him with a deformed hand thus thwarting his craftsmanship. He becomes a delivery boy for a radical newspaper printed by members of the Sons of Liberty led by Sam Adams. Johnny has a secret heritage that weaves into storyline allowing the dynamics of the initial struggles of the American Revolution to vividly come to life.
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What makes this play so enjoyable is the empathetic, often humorous characterizations of early American patriots. We see the talented ensemble members, seven of whom play multiple characters, one even playing a horse (marvelous work by Shole Milos), move swiftly from one scene to another aptly playing an assortment of characters with rich, authentic accents nicely laced with bits of sarcasm, satire and delicious irony as needed. The easy to follow piece is quickly paced with exquisite timing and effective use of lighting, sound and staging with minimal narration to communicate the storyline. Lifeline Theatre’s trademark productions offer a fine blueprint on how to adapt and mount a novel on stage. The play recreates the Boston Tea Party, Paul Revere’s ride and the Battle of Lexington as we hear several famous quotes from the emerging patriots sprinkled through this polished production.
With outstanding work from Chris Cantelmi, Nick Dufloth, Erin Myers, Bryson Engelen, Allison Cain, James E. Grote, Paul Myers and the talented Shole Milos, Johnny Tremain boasts a cast that supports Geoff Button’s excellent lead character. Yes, history can be fun and Lifeline Theatre makes it entertaining.
Highly Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
Listen to Talk Theatre in Chicago’s interview with Dorothy Milne, Lifeline Theatre’s artistic director
Date Reviewed February 12, 2006
Jeff Recommended
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