BWW Reviews: HOW I BECAME A PIRATE Offers Swashbuckling Delight

Almost all children (and not a few adults) have a fascination with all things piratical, and the musical HOW I BECAME A PIRATE, currently in production at Columbia Children's Theatre through September 28, yields plenty of material to indulge that fascination. This fun offering, written by Janet Yates Vogt and Mark Friedman, based on the popular children's book of the same name by Melinda Long, has plenty to engage children and also keep their parents smiling broadly throughout the approximate one-hour running time. Young children will take this fantastic journey into the world of (not-so-scary) pirates at face value, perhaps even responding directly to the actors, while their older siblings and adults will appreciate the sly humor and send-up of buccaneer lore. Yet perhaps the greatest appeal comes from the age-old theme of "there's no place like home", and a realization that neither sea nor grass is greener on the other side. A short sojourn as a pirate, whether experienced as real or fantasy, may be just dandy, but can't compare to the bedrock of life's simpler and comforting pleasures.

Children may already be familiar with the plot from the book, and the look and feel of this production captures its spirit and pays homage to David Shannon's original illustrations. Young Jeremy Jacob is at the beach with his family when his off-stage parents fade from his consciousness and are replaced with a second family of pirates, led by the clever and decidedly less fearsome parody of Blackbeard, Captain Braid Beard. Needing an extra hand to help the crew find the choicest spot for burying their fabled treasure, the Captain recruits Jeremy, who in turns learns all about life as a carefree pirate on the bounding main. Well, at least it seems carefree, with no worries about table manners or politesse. But when they have to weather a dreadful storm at sea, Jeremy also learns that a reassuring embrace is not too likely among a group of (even admittedly soft-hearted) desperados who don't do any tucking in or story-reading at night. Also, pirates are none too schooled on the pleasures of soccer, though they are intrigued and do manage to get Jeremy back to his starting place in time for practice. They also manage to find the best spot of all for burying their treasure, and as their adventure comes to an end, let Jeremy know they are only a URL away. The clever story zips along through delightful dialogue, and is punctuated by a musical score that includes energetic and often comic numbers that mine both current pop culture and a certain pirate-based operetta of yore where patter matters.

Sprightly directed by Jerry Stevenson, the pacing is consistent and snags the attention of the young target audience. The production is also buoyed by an enjoyable ensemble cast who convey their sense of outsized fun to the audience. Young Ashlyn Combs is gender-blind cast as Jeremy, and does a fine and convincing job in the role. Lee O. Smith certainly seems to relish playing the larger-than-life Captain Braid Beard, and is ably assisted by Andy Nyland's teeth-gnashing but ultimately empathic Sharktooth. Brandi Smith's Maxine portrays the sole female pirate, literally and figuratively attached to her stuffed parrot, with Anthony Harvey's Seymour the grateful upstage recipient of crackers meant for the faux polly. Julian Deleon's Pierre is a pirate enamored of haute cuisine and the bon mot, and Paul Lindley II's Swill is a kind of pirate savant long on book larnin' and short on common sense. These pirates strut their stuff in delicious character, and raise harmonious voices in well-delivered song, a testament to Paul Lindley II's additional musical direction and Crystal Aldamuy's simple but lively choreography. This production also features a spare and portable, yet evocative, set, and is complemented by well-executed sound design and lighting, noteworthy in a small space; the night sky effect is particularly well-done. The pirate costumes, designed and made by Donna Harvey and Jerry Stevenson, are outstanding, and are certainly going to be copied by young audience members who will want to reenact the story.

Children's theatre works on many levels: to entertain, to educate, and to expand young and growing imaginations. HOW I BECAME A PIRATE serves all of these goals well. It presents an hour well-spent that inevitably pays lasting dividends; therein sits the real treasure. To naysayers, simply reply, in your deepest tones, "Aarrgh"!

Photo Credit: Becky Combs

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