BWW Reviews: A Winning Sweetness in SPT's HUMBLE BOY

Charlotte Jones' "Humble Boy", currently playing at Seattle Public Theater, may not rock your world or alter your perceptions on life or anything like that but this sweet family dramedy has plenty of charm and humor. True it's a bit long winded at times but with such engaging performances and interesting characters, you can get over that and still walk away with a contented little sigh.

It's billed as somewhat of an adaptation of "Hamlet" and it kind of is. Felix Humble (Jason Marr), a brilliant yet unstable astrophysicist, has come home due to the death of his father Jim (Kevin McKeon) only to find that his mother Flora (Macall Gordon) has gotten rid of all her late husband's belongings including his prized bees that he kept in the backyard. And to make matters worse she has taken up with the loud and blustering George Pye (Mike Dooly), a neighbor and father to his ex-girlfriend Rosie (Alyssa Keene). So yes, a slightly crazed son, coming home due to the death of his father to find his Mother has shacked up with someone tied to his family. All this, other than that Felix keeps seeing the ghost of his dead father wandering through the garden, is about where the similarities end. This family has issues but nowhere near as angst ridden as those royals in Denmark. But the Humble's and the Pye's have their own sets of issues to deal with, just a lot less murdery.

As I said, the play has a ton of sweetness and humor going for it and the direction from Marcus Goodwin keeps it flowing nicely. My biggest issue with it is that it ended about four different times making it just a little long. Just when you thought, "OK, we're wrapping up now" a new character or storyline would come back around and start the process all over. But this is a minor issue as all the characters are completely engaging and likable, even the ones we may not want over for dinner.

Marr brings an adorable sweetness to this broken hero and turns in an arc for the character that's subtle but still effective. Gordon's Flora may not be the warmest and most tender Mother figure but she infuses her regretful character with lots of underlying care and turns in a quite layered and complex performance. McKeon manages a quiet and unassuming warmth to Jim which contrasts perfectly with the blowhard performance turned in by the always amazing Dooly. Keene brings in much of the comedy of the piece with her quirky attitude. And I have to mention the absolute hilarity of Marty Mukhalian as the nervous and eager to please friend of the family, Mercy.

With an absolutely gorgeous and well thought out set from Richard Schaefer, "Humble Boy" is firing on all cylinders. No, it's not going to blow your doors off and yes it goes on a bit but it still manages a charming look at a broken family putting itself back together. And so with my three letter rating system I give it a sweet little YAY. A solid offering from the folks at SPT and an interesting look at the question that has plagued beekeepers for years, to bee or not to bee. (Sorry, I couldn't resist.)

"Humble Boy" from Seattle Public Theater performs at the Bathhouse Theater through February 15th. For tickets or information contact the Seattle Public Theater box office at 206-524-1300 or visit them online at www.seattlepublictheater.org.

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