Young sassy cast shines in NFLT's Tom Sawyer

Nov 29, 2012

Photo: Tom, Huck and their gang sing “Catchin' Catfish”, one of the many memorable musical numbers in the NFLT's production of Tom Sawyer

It was in large part the young cast members who made the North Frontenac Little Theatre's production of "Tom Sawyer" one to remember. The play is based on the 1876 Mark Twain classic and was written as a musical production for the stage by Dave Barton and Matt Bond. It is difficult to perform, particularly for younger actors because it demands that all the characters speak in a southern Missouri twang. That raised the bar for the numerous young cast members, many of whom were first-timers to the stage, but each and every one of them rose to the challenge. Kudos to director Brian Robertson, who in this aspect alone definitely had his work cut out for him.

The play opened with a focus on Tom's home, featuring doting Aunt Polly, perfectly portrayed by Beth Freeland; his most genteel cousin Mary (Joelle Parr); and his always annoying and needling younger brother Sid (Cash Matson).

Tom's young friendships were demonstrated in his sword-wielding tiff with Jeff Thatcher (Johnny Ray Skuce). His mind-boggling love life was also a highlight and was demonstrated in his amusing interactions with the hoity-toity and sometimes downright violent Amy (Dayna Stone), the coy yet shy Lyda (Hunter Hannah) and his heart-throb Becky Thatcher (Violet Skuce). Other memorable young characters who charmed the audience included Cayleigh Matson as the adorable Sally, and Elle Larocque as Faith Harper. Seven-year-old Mason Moore played tiny Ted Austin, the youngest member of Tom's gang. He managed to steal the show with his innumerable antics.

A delightful surprise in this production were the notable musical numbers which were well sung and choreographed. They included Tom's memorable “Painting the Fence”, Aunt Polly's lament “What's the Matter with Tom”, and Huck (Cody Matson) and the gang's “Catchin' Catfish”.

About half way through, the play quickly took a darker turn when Tom along with his buddy Huck venture to a graveyard one night, a dead cat in hand, in order to cure warts. It is then that they happen to witness Hobo Joe (John Stephen) murder a man and frame the kind-hearted drunk Muff Potter (an inspired performance by Andy Hannah).

The plot thickens when Huck and Tom disappear and are presumed dead, only to return as the townsfolk are in the midst of conducting their funeral. Young Tom and Huck Finn put all things right in the end, saving Muff Potter from the hangman's noose, knocking Old Joe into a bottomless pit, and finding the treasure that Joe had been seeking. Tom also wins the heart of his true love Becky. Huck is firmly, and a bit reluctantly, taken under the wing of the widow Douglas, who was played to high comedic effect by Barbie Matson.

I'd be remiss not to mention the numerous costumes, made by Peggy Muldoon, which included a wide variety of beautiful lacy bonnets and aproned dresses for the girls, and an array of straw hats, boots, suspenders, knees socks and short pants for the boys.

The sets, which were made by Peter Platenius and Donna Larocque, included three gigantic, lush trees and the manageable interior sets made for smooth transitions between the scenes.

The live orchestral accompaniment was well played by John Inglis on piano, Sandy Robertson on flute and Gary Giller on bass.

Tom Sawyer is at the forefront of this play. The demands put on first-time actor Johnny Parks, a grade seven student from Prince Charles Public School in Verona, were that he present Tom as self-centered and full of mischief, but at the same time kind-hearted and loveable. Despite a few difficulties with the accent, he pulled off the role with aplomb.

Kudos also to his pal Huck, played masterfully by Cody Matson, a veteran of the NFLT stage.

There were also great performances by Sarah Hale as the preacher/school mistress, and Ken Fisher as Judge Thatcher.