The adaptation from book to the stage is often a
challenging one.
Exposition has to be given solely through the dialogue, settings have to be
suggested and characters must reveal themselves with action and words.
First Stage's "The Thief Lord" by Cornelia Funk as adapted by James
DeVita is not entirely successful in accomplishing all these tasks. The result,
though sometimes exciting, is a somewhat frantic, fragmented story that leaves
many questions unanswered.
The tale is set in Venice during a chilly autumn where a pair of orphaned
brothers is trying to avoid being adopted by their aunt and uncle.
Prosper and Bonafice (Prop and Bo) link up with a group of homeless children
who are more or less supported by their hero, The Thief Lord, a somewhat Robin
Hood figure who robs from the rich to give to the poor.
Aunt Esther has hired Victor, a detective as disorganized as he is lovable,
to track down her nephews. Along the way, we also meet Barbarossa, the
opportunistic buyer of hot goods, the warm-hearted photographer, Ida, and The
Thief Lord's dictatorial father.
This plot to find the missing children and the mystery surrounding the Thief
Lord's real identity and motivation unites with another storyline - the search
for the flying lion's missing wing and the magic carousel that turns adults into
children and children into adults.
Along the way, we are made to ponder the rich and poor dilemma, the
dissatisfaction often experienced by humans of whatever age, and the ingenuity
sometimes needed to survive. All of these themes are worthy of consideration,
but the "throughline" in this play is somewhat muddled.
On the plus side, the set design by Sarah Hunt-Frank and the lighting effects
created by Jason Fassl create a fittingly ominous atmosphere. The delineation of
character is noteworthy on the part of Joe Faust as Detective Victor, Molly
Glynn as the generous Ida, Balen Essak as the spunky Bo, Katie Shelledy as the
take-charge Hornet and Gavin Rangel as the transformed Barbarossa.
The carousel created by Mark Hare was also impressive and a wonderful prop
for creating the mystery and magic of the narrative.
The show runs through Feb. 14 at the Todd Wehr Theater at the Marcus Center
for the Performing Arts, 929 N. Water St., Milwaukee. Call 414-273-7206 for
times and tickets.
This offering is recommended for children eight years of age and older.
Coming up in March is the "The Wiz," a take-off on "The Wizard
of Oz."
UW-Waukesha announces auditions
The University of Wisconsin-Waukesha theatre department has announced
auditions for the premiere of its 2010 spring production, "Thieves," a
comedy.
The auditions, which are open to the public, will be held by appointment only
on Monday and Tuesday in the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, 1500 N. University Drive, on
the UW-Waukesha campus.
Auditions will consist of reading a scene from the play with another actor.
Electronic copies of the script are available by e-mailing Director Steven
Decker at
steven.decker@uwc.edu.
Roles will be cast for five men and three women. Characters range in age from
late teens to the late 40s.
"This season we continue exploring contemporary comedies, as well as the
challenges and benefits of working on new plays," Decker said. "We are
especially excited to have contact with the 'Thieves' playwright, Doug Bedwell.
Access to the playwright is always an asset to both director and actors working
on the production."
"Thieves" will run from April 15 through April 18.