Families will enjoy Prime Stage's `Treasure Island'

By Alice T. Carter
TRIBUNE-REVIEW THEATER CRITIC
Tuesday, October 8, 2002

Prime Stage Theatre has started its 2002-03 season with a production of "Treasure Island" that's great fun. But taking kids to the show in the hopes that they'll absorb positive messages about honesty and industry might result in frustration.

That's because the scurvy pirates are the most interesting characters. They're having all the fun while the doctor, squire and captain are honest and upright, but so insipid and colorless that they're unlikely to inspire much emulation.

Adapted from Robert Louis Stevenson's vivid 1883 novel, "Treasure Island" is a wonderful story for families to enjoy. It begins in 18th-century England in a small seaside inn where dutiful young son Jim Hawkins helps his widowed mother (Audrey Castracane) run the Admiral Benbow Inn while dreaming of adventure in far-off places. When their guest, Bill Bones, drops dead, he leaves Jim with a chest full of treasure and a map showing where more is buried.

Before you can say shiver-me-timbers, he's off to sea to find the treasure in the company of Dr. Livesey, Squire Trelawney, Captain Smollett and a crew made up of some of the most suspicious-looking seamen you could possibly assemble. They're former members of the pirate band hoping to get their hands on the loot that Bill hid from them.

Scott Van de Mark, Chuck Gerste and Dale Irvin are steady and responsible, but humorless and uninspiring, as Livesey, Trelawney and Smollett. And who would aspire to wear those itchy-looking, shiny white wigs when they could swagger around as a pirate-turned-deckhand?

Heading that band of illicit deckhands is Robert Wood's Long John Silver, the ship's cook who befriends young Jim, who's played with upbeat earnestness and sincerity by Nicholas Coppula, a freshman at North Allegheny Intermediate School. Wood enlivens the enterprise, conspiring with black-hearted relish and the occasional moment of decency.

Others lending atmosphere and energy to the proceedings in supporting roles as crew include Adrian Aric Angelo, Jeremy Tennet, Lonnie Thomas, Harry Frazee, Angelo Gabriel Bruni, Donnie McDonnel, Ross Blumen, Jeff Gardner, Jake Perry and Buka the Parrot, who plays Captain Flint.

Once they reach the island, Jim encounters Benn Gunn, a former member of Bill's pirate band who has gone slightly mad while marooned there. Enrique Bazan, who also plays Blind Pew in the opening scene, creates interest and sympathy for Gunn while giving full gusto to the role.

Set designer Paula Dworek provides a simple but elegant environment that supports the show's theme of romantic adventure with ship's rigging, a nicely painted floor and a few pieces of furniture. Gary Smith's lighting designs contribute additional atmosphere and a projected backdrop of palms indicating the tropical island. Keith Caggiano's sound design of ocean waves and creaking decks adds to the nautical feel, although the neatly sung sea chanteys sound more like they're being sung by an Ivy League glee club than a crew of sea-toughened sailors.

Director Wayne Brinda keeps events moving forward, and Shaun Rolly choreographs some lively swordplay.

One caution: A sign in the lobby indicates that the show's running time with intermission is approximately 90 minutes. On opening night, it ran closer to 2 hours and 10 minutes.

Even so, it's an engaging performance that would serve nicely as an introduction or supplement to a family or individual reading of the complete novel, especially if you can acquire a copy containing the original N.C. Wyeth illustrations.