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Bit Of Irish Luck Saves Boy In Winning Tale
Written by Robert Moulthrop and directed by Laura Stevens, this zany story follows Jack (Phil Newsom), a misunderstood Irish boy who is scorned by his airhead brothers (Brady Adair and Griffin DuBois) for being too shabby. But Jack’s fortunes begin to change when he stumbles across a lucky shamrock, and meets a snooty queen (Emily Clare Zempel) and her beautiful daughter (Katie Cunningham). The audience is transported into Jack’s world through the talented efforts of the technical staff who bring Ireland to life on stage. The playful music, courtesy of sound designer John Ivy, adds an authentic Irish touch. It pops up whenever Jack gallantly fights off wicked creatures or his brothers attempt one of their ridiculous schemes. Of course, it wouldn’t be an Irish tale without an Irish jig. With the help of a bit of magic dust and the choreography of Jessica Kruegar, Jack’s awkwardness is transformed as he gracefully, and furiously, dances around the stage to the delight of the audience. Not surprisingly, the biggest challenge for the actors was maintaining their Irish accents. Although they sometimes faltered, their enthusiastic performance made up for it. The actors and technical staff were not the only ones with a job to do. Before the play began the children were asked if they would help out the performers. (The response was a resounding “Yes!”) Each audience member, handed a bumblebee puppet, was invited to buzz angrily upon command, or yell “into the dungeon” when they saw Jack’s brothers misbehave. Whenever the time came for them to participate, the kids sat up a little straighter, eagerly reciting their lines or enthusiastically waving their puppets. In the end, Jack managed to slay the dragon and get the girl, making it clear that the underdog, rejected so many times, had finally proven his brothers wrong. “I may be dis and may be dat, but I’m Irish and I always goes forward and never backwards,” he says triumphantly. The most rewarding part of the play, however, came after the curtain call, when the audience got to chat with the actors and ask questions. An eager chorus of voices followed, each fighting to be heard as they declared their very favorite moments and bemoaned their own pesky brothers and sisters. The cast had fought horrible creatures, told knock-knock jokes and done an Irish jig, but perhaps their most admirable achievement was standing patiently on stage, smiling encouragingly at each speaker and nodding along in agreement. Manhattan Children’s Theater, 52 White St., 212-352-3101, mctny.org. This month: “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie.” Ages 4 and up. $20; $15 child. Sat. and Sun., 4/5–5/18, 12 and 2 pm.
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