BWW Reviews: Penfold Theatre's SHIPWRECKED! Is a Rousing Family-Friendly Adventure

Theatre, at its core, is an art form where individual artists-actors, directors, writers, and designers-can let their imaginations free upon the stage, and in doing so, they can spark the imaginations of the audience. Certainly, some theatrical productions are more successful at inspiring the audience than others, and I never expect a show geared towards children and families to spark my imagination. Still, there are some occasions where the family fare is so well-presented that one can't help but be enchanted and enthralled. Penfold Theatre's current production of Shipwrecked! is one such occasion where children and adults are entertained and inspired by the brilliant stagecraft and the talented performers.

The play, by Pulitzer Prize winner Donald Margulies, tells the story of Louis de Rougemont (played by Robert L. Berry). An inquisitive and restless young man, Louis joins a pirate expedition to search for pearls off the coast of Australia and ends up shipwrecked on an undiscovered island. Louis imparts his bizarre tale of survival to us, highlighting his encounters with giant sea turtles, flying wombats, a man-eating octopus, and cannibalistic aborigines.

Director Ryan Crowder expertly keeps the show moving forward at a quick pace, ensuring that kids and adults alike are constantly at The Edge of their seat. Crowder and company use tried and true theatrical tricks to transform their relatively bare stage into bustling London streets, a pirate ship, and a desolate island. With just a few subtle adjustments to the set, we're taken into entirely new and exotic worlds.

The cast is just as strong as the direction and design. Robert L. Berry is a fine storyteller and a hero you root for. He's energetic, likeable, and still wide-eyed with wonder as he tells us his bizarre and unlikely tale of survival. His two counterparts, Nathan Jerkins and Julie Linnard are also remarkable and effective as they act out all of the supporting characters in Louis's story. Jerkins is particularly adorable as Louis's dog, Bruno, and is hysterical as various members of London society, including Queen Victoria. Linnard also has plenty of moments to shine, and she's particularly memorable as Louis's doting mother and as the swaggering pirate captain.

The only weak point of this brilliant production is the ending of Margulies's script. While the entire evening is well-conceived and well-written, the last fifteen minutes get de-railed by an unsatisfying twist ending which seems to go against the major ideas of the show. I won't give too much away, but a quick Wikipedia search of the real Louis de Rougemont will clue you in to how the show ends. Just because a story is true does not mean it must be staged faithfully, and that is a point that Margulies has missed.

But textual issues aside, Shipwrecked! is a splendid and creative production that is sure to be a crowd pleaser across all age groups. Being stranded on an island for thirty years never looked so fun.

Running time: 1 hour and 50 minutes, including one 10 minute intermission.

SHIPWRECKED! produced by Penfold Theatre plays the Round Rock Amphitheater at 301 W. Bagdad Ave, Round Rock, TX 78664 now thru June 29th. Performances are Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 8pm. Admission is Free. For more information, visit www.penfoldtheatre.com.

Pictured: Robert L. Berry as Louis de Rougemont in SHIPWRECKED! Photo by Kimberley Mead.

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