BWW Reviews: THE QUILTMAKER'S GIFT Extols the Virtue of Giving

The Quiltmaker's Gift, authored by Jeff Brumbeau and elegantly illustrated by Gail de Marcken, remains, thirteen years after its publication, a welcome addition to the treasury of tales extolling the virtue of giving.

Indeed, the book itself has been the gift that keeps on giving. Adapted nine years ago by Alan J. Prewitt, with music by Craig Bohmler and lyrics by Steven Mark Kohn, this inspirational fable came to new life as a musical production of Phoenix Theatre's Cookie Company. And now, thanks to Theater Works, it's back in a delightful and lighthearted reprise, ably directed by Rusty Ferracane, one of Phoenix's most popular and accomplished actors.

It is a tale, full of warmth and irony, told by an Old Man (Ted Raymond) to a child (Josh Pike) about a material king (Joshua Vern) who realizes that all his wealth does not bring him happiness. For one who has everything, everything is not enough, and so the king aspires to possess one of the fine quilts made by the quiltmaker on the hill (Carolyn Folks). Her quilts, however, are not for sale. They are rather to be given to the poor, the hungry, and the homeless. Despite all the king's protestations and pressure, she does not relent. However, she conceives a deal whereby, for every treasured item the king gives away, she will add a block and stitch him a quilt. Thereupon, both the tale and a quilt unfold ~ weaving their way to a timeless message about the things in life that matter.

The message is advanced by a jubilant staging of color and choreography. Tamara Treat lives up to her surname by once again suiting up the cast with vivid costumes and creating a magnificent quilt that, incidentally, is comprised of cuts from costumes from all Theater Works' past productions. Cydney Trent's choreography is enlivened by the performances of Michele Kahn, Katie Czajkowski, Jonny Ramirez, and Brian Carmona.

Ultimately, it is Mr. Vern who strikes all the right chords to make this production a delight to watch. Having just completed a turn as J. Pierrepont Finch in Theatre Works' production of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Mr. Vern reveals his remarkable versatility as a song and dance man in his portrayal of the petulant Chorus King.

If the quilt stands as the virtual symbol of warmth, artisanship, and community; if community derives from reciprocity (i.e., that a gift is not really a gift until something is shared in return) ~ then The Quiltmaker's Gift brings us full circle to an experience that every family ought to share. Just as Cole Porter wrote, I give to you as you give to me, true love.

The Quiltmaker's Gift runs through December 21st at the Peoria Center for the Performing Arts.

Photo credit to Moran Imaging

To post a comment, you must register and login.