The Rip
Van Winkle story has always intrigued readers. What would it
be like to be dropped into a different time slot? Whether
backward or forward, it would certainly rattle one's
perceptions and expectations. It would probably be
fascinating, frightening and disorienting.
"The Magic Bicycle," now playing at First Stage
Children's Theatre, sends us on such a journey. Playwright
John Olive has chosen Milwaukee for his premiere performance
of this play.
The story opens with a sad orphan scene with three children
- one blind - trapped in a home run by a drunk and his
sadistic wife. The time frame is the late 19th century.
We are thrilled when they escape and begin their new
survival adventures. Lilah is the one whose fortunes we follow
closely. She meets up with Willy, who is time-traveling on the
magic bicycle that his father (Archie) has invented.
Somehow he has lost his father along the way. Lilah and
Willy travel together back and forth in time, and along the
way, they realize how something that happened in history
affected everything else that followed. This concept of
cause-and-effect is one of the major themes of the play.
Another is that everyone needs to find a home, a place where
they feel loved and comfortable. Both themes are well
conveyed.
David Minkoff's set design is simple but an effective
display of multiple gears. The various ramps on stage make
riding the bicycle more challenging, which is symbolic of one's
difficult but exciting journey through one's life.
Andres Kilwein-Jennerjohn and Haley Carter (members of the
Ka-Boom cast) are quite skillful in their maneuvering this
complex, large bike around the stage without injuring
themselves or someone in the audience. They also fill their
roles with skill, both credibly representing their respective
time frames. There's some chemistry between them, as well
despite the great contrast in their "worlds."
The scene during The Civic War is lightened by the charisma
and indomitable optimism of Jedidiah, well rendered by Alec
Aldred. Archie, the creative but slightly kooky father, is
also a standout as created by Richard Ganoung. Maya George as
Sigrid should also be mentioned for her skating skills.
Young children will enjoy the special effects, especially
the flashy, multi-purpose bike, but the concepts developed in
this story are beyond those younger than 10. It's one of those
children's stories that adults probably enjoy more than their
children do, or one that adults can return to again and again
to unearth new riches each time.
