BWW Reviews: Sam Bass Presents Family Friendly Double Header with SECRET GARDEN and YELLOW BOAT

I've always been hesitant about reviewing shows produced for children, starring children, or both. While I may still watch cartoons and love being a big kid, I like to think that my theatrical palette has matured to the point where I'm not the target audience for a kids show, and though there are many gifted child actors, they are still kids whose artistic talent often requires some more cultivating.

So as I mentioned, I've always been hesitant to review "kid shows." Until now. While it does have a few areas that could improve and may be a long night for the kids, Sam Bass's double header of The Secret Garden and The Yellow Boat is overall an enjoyable evening of theatre that will entertain and enchant the kids while moving the adults to tears.

The Secret Garden, adapted by Pamela Sterling, stays very true to the classic children's novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett. It follows the sassy, spoiled, and cranky Mary Lennox (Kylie Shannon) who is sent to her uncle Archibald in England after the deaths of her parents in India. While Mary is told to keep away from an old, locked garden and to keep out of certain halls in the house, she proves to be a curious little girl with a penchant for breaking the rules, all of which need to be broken. By doing what she wants, Mary finds her own happiness and helps bring her sickly cousin Colin (Ethan Anderson) back to health.

Of the cast, Shannon and Anderson stand out above the rest. They are both young actors that are gifted beyond their years. Shannon is fantastic as the dry, stubborn Mary, and she clearly understands that this is Mary's story of discovering love and kindness both in the world around her and in herself. Watching her soften up over the course of the evening is delightful. As Colin Craven, Ethan is an absolute tyrant. He virtually turns his character's wheel chair into a throne as he barks orders at his servants. Both actors are remarkably strong with delivering British accents. Tessa Demings is also quite good in the supporting role of Mary's maid and friend, Martha.

Still, despite the strengths of the cast, The Secret Garden does have a few weaker spots. Some of the supporting actors speak with such thick British and Scottish accents that it's difficult to understand them. Though Sterling's script tries to be authentic to the original novel, it lacks the magic and imagination of the novel and other adaptations of it. And in her directorial debut, Laura Vohs gets mixed results. While she gets outstanding performances out of Shannon, Anderson, and Demings, she struggles a bit with pacing and staging, though part of the staging issues stem from the small playing area at Sam Bass and the countless set changes required by the text. Nevertheless, Vohs gives a valiant effort and will most certainly grow as a director and an artist.

It's initially difficult to understand the choice to show The Secret Garden in tandem with the new and modern The Yellow Boat, written by David Saar and based on the life of his son. However, once the second show starts, the parallels between the shows become apparent and the reasoning behind the double header becomes crystal clear.

The Yellow Boat tells the tale of Benjamin, an adventurous, artistic, and imaginative young boy who suffers from hemophilia and contracts HIV after receiving blood transfusions. While it may be heavy subject matter, especially for the child and family audience, Saar's treatment of it is beautiful and touching. Saar's story is realistic and doesn't sugar coat the reality of death, but at the same time he offers several moments of humor and charm that make the show accessible to kids and saves the show from becoming melodramatic and overly sentimental.

Director Ashley Zeh treats the play with dignity and thoughtfulness. With a virtually empty set and colorful lighting, Zeh creates an actor-driven piece that is moving and inventive. Felix Ferris, Alexandra Coles, and Kelly Hamilton are fantastic as ensemble players who play everything from kids to parents to doctors. Greg Garcia and Cara Garcia are outstanding as Benjamin's parents who cultivate his creativity and individuality while grappling with the multitude of challenges inherent in raising a child with a life-threatening disease. Diego Rodriguez is adorable as Benjamin's best friend, Eddy, and Theresa Dombrowski is remarkably funny as Joy, the hospital's child expert who gives Benjamin and his family a healthy dose of hope.

But the stand-out is young Brendan Vohs as Benjamin. Vohs carries and leads the shows with an endurance, energy, and professionalism not found in most child actors. He also clearly understands the rare problems faced by his character, and he gives Benjamin a passion and resilience that is fascinating and heart breaking.

Running time: Total running time of 2 hours and 20 minutes, including intermission. The Secret Garden runs 1 hour and 10 minutes. The Yellow Boat runs 50 minutes. The plays are separated by a 20 minute intermission.

THE SECRET GARDEN AND THE YELLOW BOAT plays the Sam Bass Community Theatre at 600 Lee St in Round Rock now thru June 1st. Performances are Thursdays - Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm. Tickets (which are good for both shows) are $10-$18. For tickets and information, please visit www.sambasstheatre.org.

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