Playwright: adapted by John Hildreth from the novel by Esther Forbes
At: Lifeline Theatre, 6912 N. Glenwood
Phone: (773) 761-4477; $24-$26
Runs through: April 9
The best historical fiction views its age through the eyes of a commoner who just HAPPENS to be in a position to witness the occurrences that shape countries’ destinies. The events of our story take place between the years of 1773 and 1775, and our guide is the orphaned apprentice to a Boston silversmith. Johnny Tremain displays all the arrogance of teenage boys everywhere, until a crippling accident forces him to seek employment with the Sons of Liberty, rebel insurgents advocating independence for the English colonies (that’s us Americans, by the way).
Although Esther Forbes’ 1943 classic is more coming-of-age myth than
documentary, adapting it for the stage presents the same problems as another recent Lifeline dramatization, Michael Shaara’s The Killer Angels. Fortunately, John Hildreth’s efficiently-abridged exposition incorporates into its text snapshot biographies of the Founding Fathers (who make their entrances mischievously posed as in their museum portraits) and plenty of quotations familiar to us from our schooldays. Running time considerations nevertheless require these to be recited so swiftly as to impair retention—especially since our focus is largely targeted on the scenes of dramatic ACTION: our hero’s sly methods of reconnoitering information, for example, or preparations for the exercise in civil disobedience known today as the ‘Boston Tea Party.’ An insert in the playbill chronicling the highlights of the era in question might be advisable.
Alan Donahue’s scenic design makes the most of his space’s restrictive horizontal and generous vertical dimensions, with hinged set-pieces unfolding like Jacob’s ladders to represent furniture, rooms and stables over vast distances. An ensemble of nine nimble-footed actors negotiate serpentine backstairs and lightning-fast costume changes to portray the 22 characters. Geoff Button as the Rousseauean Johnny and Bryson Engelen as his mentorly sidekick, Rab Silsbee, emerge no more idealized than necessary. Nick Dufloth, Chris Cantelmi, Allison Cain, Erin Myers and James E. Grote exemplify a strikingly unprejudiced cross-section of Massachusetts society (assisted by Elise Kauzlaric’s dialect instruction and Adam Kozlowski’s always-apt sound design). But Paul Myers steals the show with his pompous portrayal of England’s George III, as does Shole Milos as Goblin, a horse as patriotic as his rider.