BWW Reviews: HOLES offers an engrossing tale to open Nashville Children Theatre's 80th season

Always looking forward and, in so doing, challenging audiences' preconceived notions and expanding their theatrical horizons far beyond what is expected of "theater for younger audiences," Nashville Children's Theatre opens its 80^th season with the suspenseful and completely entertaining production of Louis Sachar's Holes.

Now onstage at the nationally renowned and venerated company's Ann Stahlman Hill Theatre through October 16, Holes features an extraordinary cast of some of the region's finest actors bringing the beloved tale to life with such vigorous energy that audiences of any age (not just the ones "age 8 and up" noted in the program) will become engaged in the story, its twists and turns and revelatory moments sparking their very imaginations (and, I suspect, to the library to once again experience the book).

Directed by producing artistic director Scot Copeland who, with each successive production adds further luster to his already sterling reputation, brings Sachar's tale to the stage with his requisite - and always inspiring - vision, Holes presents the involving story of young Stanley Yelnats' 18-month sentence at Texas' Camp Greenlake, a reformatory for wayward boys that is filled with mystery, intrigue, rattlesnakes, deadly yellow-spotted lizards and a treasure that went missing long, long ago.

Sachar's stage treatment of his best-selling book, which provided the basis for a successful film adaptation from Disney, gives theater-goers a multi-faceted, multi-generational tale to consider, along the way pondering such issues as racial inequality, the nature of celebrity/infamy, the impact of one's familial heritage and why some kids go astray while others remain firmly planted on the straight-and-narrow. Sure, it's heady stuff, but Sachar's characters are so appealingly real that you can't help but to become engrossed by the story, as they - and you, in turn, as their audience - strive to get to the bottom, both literal and figurative, of those holes the boys are forced to dig day-after-day.

Performed on an artfully designed set from Mitch Massaro that instantly transports you to its drought-ridden setting (which, given the drought that has plagued Texas this summer, shows the contemporary impact of the play, which lends further credibility to the whole, somewhat convoluted, story), the production also features the exquisite lighting design of Scott Leathers, Daniel Brewer's outstanding sound design and Patricia Taber's ideal costume design. All of these design elements add greatly to the overall effect of the play and you may very well find yourself sweaty and thirsty after spending time with the cast of Holes. And kudos to Henry Haggard for his clever "lizard wrangling," which you'll have to see to truly understand and enjoy.

As expected, the pacing of Holes is perfectly modulated, allowing you to process the information you're given throughout the play while moving onto the next development. Thankfully, this is the kind of work that Copeland knows so well and he ably demonstrates his far-ranging capabilities by directing Holes with sense of graceful understanding of just what is going on in the hour-plus of onstage action.

As already mentioned, Copeland's cast features a remarkable collection of some of the most talented people to be found onstage in Nashville - or anywhere else, for that matter - including several actors making their NCT debuts, including Andy Kanies (who plays Stanley with a wide-eyed innocence that perfectly captures the character's naivete and growing self-reliance), Evan Taylor Williams (playing against type as the bullying Zig-Zag), Richard Puerto (who presents an on-target portrayal of Magnet), Shawn Whitsell (the actor/playwright/director continues to impress in his every turn onstage) and James Rudolph (who plays five different characters, giving each of them a unique individuality that speaks volumes for his abilities).

Finally, veteran Nashville actress Lisa Dunaway marks her return to the stage with a finely etched portrayal of Kissin' Kate Barlow and three other vital characters each of whom benefits from the wealth of the actress' experience.

The newcomers are joined in this stellar production by a group of NCT veterans, each of whom display their versatility throughout the play. Rona Carter is particularly impressive as The Warden, while David Compton adds yet another redneck heavy to his burgeoning resume as Mr. Sir (and the even more dastardly Trout Walker) and Bobby Wyckoff plays the lovelorn Elya Yelnats and the earnest Mr. Pedanski with skillful conviction. Jon Royal and Nikkita Staggs complete the cast (as X-ray and Zero, respectively), each of them giving remarkably nuanced and thoroughly believable performances.

Clearly, Holes is a notable start to NCT's 80^th season, a harbinger of the tremendous year in theater that audiences will be treated to in the coming months.

Holes. By Louis Sachar. Directed by Scot Copeland. Presented by Nashville Children's Theatre. Through October 16. For details, visit the company website at www.nashvillechildrenstheatre.org or call (615) 254-9103.

 

To post a comment, you must register and login.