Lyle Finds His Mother
Adapted by Jessica Wright Buha
from book by Bernard Waber
Music and Lyrics by Michael James Brooks
Directed by Dorothy Milne
at Lifeline Theatre, 6912 N. Glenwood (map)
thru April 27 | tickets: $15 | more info
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A fun and joyous show for kids and crocodiles of every age
Lifeline KidSeries presents
Lyle Finds His Mother
Review by Kat Hey
There is something about Lyle. I read the first Lyle book as a child and it always made me a little sad and fearful. I absolutely loved the whimsical crocodile who could juggle and dance and of course despised the neighbors who got Lyle sent away (insert weeping here), and loved when the Primms got Lyle back (insert more tears). Lifeline Theatre continues a wonderful tradition of making stories come alive with Lyle Finds His Mother. The moment I walked in to the theater, I had my tissue ready.
The set faithfully reproduces Bernard Waber’s whimsical rendition of the apartment building on 88th Street. There are the sounds of the busy city in the background as Mrs. Primm (Erin O’Shea) makes her way home from a busy day at work. She is met by Mr. Primm (Linsey Falls), their human son Joshua (Brian Tochterman, Jr.) and Lyle (Anthony Kayer). They sing a song about what makes a family (tissue #1).O’Shea is sparkling and storybook maternal as Mrs. Primm. She has a lovely voice for both singing and speaking. She also seamlessly glides into the roles of the Cotton Candy Lady and a neighborhood girl Theresa. This is a children’s show and the elocution has to be as if the story is being read and coming alive off of the page. The only non-human lines are from Kayer. He speaks in a super sweet squeak of not quite English. Kayer has an expressive face that projects a childlike wonder and determination. Kayer and Tochterman have a brotherly chemistry. When Joshua becomes frustrated trying to juggle, Lyle gives encouragement and patiently shows him how it is done (tissue #2).
Falls does a great job as Mr. Primm, who obsesses over how much stinky fertilizer should be given to his new prize orchid. The stinky orchid gets more than a few laughs by the reactions of O’Shea and Kayer. Falls is quite funny as Hector P. Valenti, Star of Stage and Screen. Back in the day, Valenti had a traveling show that featured Lyle, but has now fallen on hard times. How long can a man go without Turkish caviar and sequins? Falls blends the Great Gildersleeve with a touch of John Barrymore in his turn as the weak half of the successful duo. He doesn’t come off as evil or a ne’er do well but a bit more of a lonely performer who misses the good old days.
Valenti sends Lyle a note claiming to know where his real mother is and it becomes an excellent teaching moment for how to explain the concept of family and love to a child if they are adopted or in a non-traditional family. Lyle becomes more curious about his real mother when the neighborhood kids go off to have fun with their moms. The Primms warn Lyle about going off with Valenti but realize that Lyle deserves to go and discover his roots. They give him a locket with a picture of Lyle to give to his croc mother, as well as alfalfa cookies, Turkish caviar, and the stinky orchid (tissue 3 and 4).
Valenti and Lyle go on a world tour of Morocco, Paris, and Las Vegas. Lyle keeps the letter with the promise to lord over Valenti, and finally they travel to Crocodile Land. The dangers of quicksand, spiders, and crocodiles have Valenti on edge, but lo and behold, Lyle’s mother (Deanna Myers) dances out of the swamp. She speaks the same lilting squeak and they joyfully embrace. It is clear where Lyle gets his talent as Myers dances, juggles, and spins plates on a stick. (Rivulets of tears and laughing are happening and I am out of tissue. I tell myself to suck it or risk being at the mercy of 30 kids no more than 8 years old!) When the trio returns, it is a giddy family reunion as croc and human moms bond over their love of Lyle. Myers also plays the cranky neighbor Mrs. Buncher. Myers is quite effective and funny as the neighbor whose knickers seem to be in an eternal twist. The housedress, rollers, and head scarf gild the lily on a brief but hilarious appearance to scream at the Primms. I guess that I would wonder how many crocodiles one could keep in a city apartment as well.
This is a great show for kids and for grownups who remember Waber’s tales of New York on the Upper East Side. These stories give whimsy and joy to urban living. Not everyone can live on the Upper East Side of New York but it is a great place to imagine living with your crocodile brother.
The direction is sharp and every move is economical. There is no wasted time or dead space allowed when trying to engage younger children. Director Dorothy Milne does a fine job at keeping the pace lively. My one quibble with this show is the sound. It is a bit uneven and some of the lyrics fade off. Some of the music seems to be live and other parts recorded. The Lifeline is a smaller theater and it is unnecessary to mic the actors. The cast projects well but seemed muffled occasionally. Nonetheless, it’s still a fun and joyous show that tells every child and adult that “family is family”. Bring tissues if you’re prone to be as sappy as I can be.
Rating: ★★★
Lyle Finds His Mother continues through April 27th at Lifeline Theatre, 6912 N. Glenwood (map), with performances Saturdays and Sundays at 11am and 1pm. Tickets are $15, and are available by phone (773-761-4477) or online through PrintTixUSA.com (check for half-price tickets at Goldstar.com). More information at LifelineTheatre.com. (Running time: 1 hour without intermission. Recommended for kids 5 and up. Children under 2 not admitted)
Photos by Suzanne Plunkett
artists
cast
Linsey Falls (Mr. Primm, Hector P. Valenti, and Zach), Anthony Kayer (Lyle), Deanna Myers (Mrs. Buncher, Rose, and Lyle’s Mother), Erin O’Shea (Mrs. Primm, Cotton Candy Lady, and Theresa), Brian Tochterman, Jr. (Joshua) Chris Ballou (understudy)
behind the scenes
Dorothy Milne (director), Jessica Wright Buha (adaptation), Michael James Brooks (music, lyrics, and sound design), Alan Donahue (scenic and property design), Erin Gallagher (costume design), Danny Osburn (lighting design and master electrician), Morgan Hood (scenic artist), Joe Schermoly (technical director), Benjamin Dawson (production manager), Bernard Waber (original books), Suzanne Plunkett (photos)
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