To See or Not to See: Tuck Everlasting

Tuck Everlasting is a story read in many elementary and middle school classrooms across the country to broach the subject of the circle of life. Natalie Babbitt wrote Tuck Everlasting back in 1975, and it was adapted for film in  both 1991 and 2002. And, now, Claudia Shear and Tim Federle have brought the story to life on stage in a sweet, family-friendly musical.

The Tuck family is quickly introduced in the opening number as as they look for to settle down in the late 1700s. They find a spring near a tree, drink from it, and, as you learn later, become immortal from the spring’s waters. Fast forward one hundred years, and we meet Winnie Cooper (a bright and lovely Sarah Charles Lewis). She is a young 11 year-old girl who is aching to be free of the strict, conventional rules of her mother, and one day, she escapes into the woods surrounding her home. Winnie happens upon Jesse Tuck (a spirited Andrew Keenan-Bolger), who still looks 17, at the spring in the woods and meets the rest of the Tuck family–who have been hunted by the Man in the Yellow Suit (a perfectly crazed Terrence Mann) for years as he desperately wants their immortality. Winnie learns the Tuck family secret and is faced with the decision of whether or not to drink from the spring as well.

That exploration of life, death, and immortality is at the forefront of Tuck Everlasting. Not only is it the obvious basis of the book, it is the basis of the music (composed by Chris Miller and lyrics by Nathan Tysen). While teaching a lesson about living life and the eventuality of death,Tuck Everlasting is easily accessible to a younger audience with mostly catchy, uncomplicated music. Despite the majority of upbeat musical numbers, one of the standout serious songs is “Time”. Sung by Miles Tuck (Robert Lenzi) as he explains to Winnie what happened to him because of the curse of immortality, the gentle dance to accompany it is heart-wrenching.

To cut through the somber tone, there are several joyful, fun, and humorous moments. “Hugo’s First Case” and “You Can’t Trust a Man” are truly delights performed with aplomb by Hugo (an endearing Michael Wartella), a young deputy apprentice, and Constable Joe (Fred Applegate). The other standout showstopper is “Partner in Crime” where an exuberant Jesse Tuck revels in having a friend who knows his secret. The fair staging, the energetic dancing, and the sheer fun of the song could put a bounce in anyone’s step.

To complement the depth of the story, the solid performances, and wonderful choreography are truly beautiful lighting and set designs. The giant tree that sprawls across the stage is stunning. The play of lights–from sunsets to daylight and from life to death–are magical.

The show ends with a long ballet sequence that is reminiscent of the dream ballet in Carousel and the touching opening sequence of the Pixar movie Up. As we witness the cycle of life, the words Angus Tuck (Michael Park) sang to Winnie echo, “It’s a wheel, Winnie. A circle in motion. Can’t stop rowing, growing, changing. Then, moving on.”  This is at the heart of Tuck Everlasting: a reminder that life is ever-changing and a beautiful thing to experience, in all its flaws.

*Tuck Everlasting is playing at the Broadhurst Theatre.

Photo Credit: Joan Marcus