Reviewed by Lia Tremblay
The latest children’s production at the historic Swift Creek Mill Theatre is a retelling of one of childhood’s most memorable tales. Young Jack, dispatched by his mother to the market with a cow to sell, is intercepted by a buyer who offers not cash but magic beans. He eagerly accepts, to his mother’s chagrin, and the beans yield a sky-high stalk that leads Jack to thrilling discoveries.
The story plays out musically, with catchy and clever songs by Tom Width and Paul Deiss. Matt Shofner is energetic and adorable as young Jack, and Debra Wagoner’s sweet voice is the perfect portrayal of his patient but saddened mother. Pint-size audience members delighted in the confused, bumbling interactions between Jack and the Old Crone/Fairy, played by Grey Garrett. As the giant couple Jack meets in the clouds, Tom Width and Georgia Rogers Farmer are charming and highly entertaining (no small feat while lumbering around the stage on stilts).
With its fidgety target audience in mind (pre-K to 3rd grade) the show runs only about 45 minutes long. My 4-year-old son was transfixed from beginning to end and never seemed uncomfortably frightened. Most of the seats were filled by field trips from area schools, a sea of eager viewers who were enthusiastically startled and amused by the events unfolding onstage.
“Jack and the Beanstalk” runs through May 3 at Swift Creek Mill Theatre
