Theater Reviews

May 10, 2006 - Reno Little Theater's "Humble Boy," a beautiful and compelling presentation

By Jack Neal

"Humble Boy," one of the most completely pleasing Reno Little Theater presentations in years, is now playing at the Hug High School Theater. The play opened Friday (5/5/06) and is good enough - both as a play and in production - to attract large audiences.

"Humble Boy," by British playwright Charlotte Jones, is a modern-dress-and- updated-language spinoff on "Hamlet." With Shakespearean overtones of familial problems, an uncertain son, Felix Humble, and a domineering mother, Flora Humble, intent to marry quickly after her husband's death, are on an emotional collision course. The play embraces the psychology of this rocky mother and son relationship with large doses of wit and considerable pathos.

To make matters more intriguing, the 40-something, socially uncomfortable but brilliant Felix has regular conversations with Jim, the gardner. Is Jim an apparition or real? Is the production's lush garden set real or symbolic? How does your garden grow, Jones seems to be pondering. One reaps what one sows, she seems to answer. That's the sort of thing "Humble Boy" is about. Adding texture and color as a means to an end, Jones adorns her play with subplots relating to parenting, the lives of bees and contemplations about the origins of the universe.

Enter the very brash George Pye, Flora's love interest, who can't stand the prying nature of Felix's anguish over and questioning of his mother's intention to marry. Rosie Pye, George's observant and pushy daughter and former Felix lover, adds spice to the mix. Mercy Lott, the delightfully inept but well-meaning neighbor, adds comic relief.

Kristen Davis-Coelho has directed Jones's poetic play and she keeps the action and dialogue adroitly moving along; but not so fast that moments to relish are trampled in the rush. The cast is excellent and this theatrically smart director knows full well how to manage her players. Davis-Coelho has also designed the set. It's attractive and practical and allows the play's action to flow without interruption. Doug Mishler's lighting designs and Gary Helmers' sound designs are both first-rate. "Humble Boy" is produced - the person who thinks of everything that needs to be done, then does them - by the indefatigable Nancy Podewils.

As the bumbling but brilliant Felix, John Simpson is everything he should be. Unkempt, socially blunt, awkward; yet cunning, distrustful and a remarkable judge of character. Simpson is terrific. As is Cathy Gabrielli who inhabits the role of Flora, Felix's mother. Gabrielli moves from crusty to vulnerable, giving every scene she's in pulse. As George, Flora's husband-to-be, Doug Mishler is excellent - grating, annoying and very comfortable on stage..

As Rosie, Megan Conelly is clearly her stage father's daughter. She has attitude - enough to go around. Conelly is a class act and is also quite comfortable on stage. Julie Douglass plays Mercy, the generous and kind-hearted neighbor, as a sweet eccentric. Her Mercy has a light touch that brings deft down-home humor to the outdoor dinner scene where, without knowing it, she plays opposite the deceased Mr. Humble's ashes.

This excellent cast has been directed into many magical moments. But the most memorable scene comes at the play's conclusion, when Flora encounters Jim, the gardner in a lovely and poignant meeting. With lesser talents the scene could be deadly. But with the splendid Michael Peters as Jim, and the compelling Cathy Gabrieli as Flora, the scene is played as beautifully as a scene can be played.

There's nothing humble about RLT's "Humble Boy." It's nothing less than triumphant.

The Reno Little Theater's "Humble Boy" plays Fridays and Saturdays May 5 and 6, 12 and 13, 19 and 20, at 8:00 p.m. and Sundays, May 7, 14, and 21 at 2:00 p.m. at the Hug High School Theater at North McCarran Boulevard and Sutro Street, Reno, Nevada. For information and tickets go online at renolittletheater.org or call 775-329-0661.