A Children’s Tale of Loss and Recovery

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane – Filament Theatre

Filament Theatre, the little Portage Park center for children and family entertainment and education, is known for its exciting, incredibly inventive productions of kid’s stories. But this magnificently moving adaptation of Kate DiCamillo’s 2006 children’s novel about self-discovery may be the company’s finest production in a long line of great theatre.

Adapted with intelligence and heart by Dwayne Hartford, this imaginative, immensely creative production is passionately directed by Kathryn Walsh. The story brings to mind another tale about a toy bunny, Margery Williams’ The Velveteen Rabbit. However, this story isn’t about a stuffed animal. It depicts the episodic journey of a porcelain doll, a rabbit, with flexible, furry ears. He’s a gift to a young girl named Abilene from her strict, yet adoring grandmother. And, although the china rabbit can’t talk, Edward Tulane has an astonishingly active imagination.

In Ms. Walsh’s production the audience not only hears Edward’s thoughts and feelings, but his musings are made human in the form of a likable, boyishly charming young actor named Nik Kmiecik. The multitalented Mr. Kmiecik wanders about the stage dressed, like Edward, in a stylish three-piece suit, by costume designer Noel Huntzinger. This charismatic actor not only gives voice to everything Edward is thinking and experiencing, he also raises his voice in song and beautifully accompanies his four cast mates on mandolin and ukulele, enhancing Tim McNulty’s lovely musical compositions and Matthew Chapman’s evocative sound design.

Kate DiCamillo’s novel is told in a series of adventurous scenes. When theatergoers first meet Edward, he’s a vain and arrogant bunny, enjoying his life of indulgent luxury with his owner, young Abilene. She provides him with a posh wardrobe of beautifully-tailored clothes, including a pair of silk pajamas. When Abilene’s father surprises her with a voyage aboard the RMS Queen Mary, a storm unexpectedly rocks the ship and blows Edward into the raging sea. He spends a very long time trapped on the ocean floor until a fisherman finds Edward in his net and gives him to his wife. She clothes him in a dress, which humiliates Edward, but the fisherman’s wife proves to be a loving woman. While sharing all her feelings with him, Edward begins to grow less judgmental and more empathetic toward the dear lady.

After the fisherman’s jealous daughter throws Edward in the dump, he’s discovered by a hobo and his dog. Eventually the china rabbit finds his way into the arms of young man, who’s little sister is dying of tuberculosis. When Edward’s head gets smashed, a shopkeeper finds him, repairs him and puts him on her shelf with the other dolls in his store. Then, bringing the story full circle, a woman comes into the shop looking for something special for her little girl. She spots Edward, a little worse for wear, but, as luck would have it, is the very same doll she owned as a little girl. Except that Edward’s journey has changed him into a kinder, more loving bunny. In the end, Abilene, now grownup with a family of her own, takes the joyous porcelain rabbit home to his new, young mistress, where they all live happily ever after.

In this heartwarming story about loss and recovery, the other three actors get to demonstrate their great versatility in portraying a multitude of characters, both male and female, young and old. Lovely Juanita Andersen is excellent and commanding, often becoming Ms. DiCamillo’s voice as the narrator of the story. Ms. Andersen is especially strong as Abilene’s stern but caring grandmother. She easily morphs into a number of other, mostly bullying, adversarial characters; but her most heartfelt creation is the owner of the doll shop, who gives Edward a new lease on life.

Young Mariah Copeland is skilled and absolutely delightful playing both young children, elderly women and a very realistic puppy dog. She’s a pleasingly jubilant little girl as Abilene, ever so loving and poignant as the fisherman’s wife and especially angelic and touching as the terminally sick little girl. As Abilene’s cheerfully generous father, Alejandro Tey shows strength and status in his characterization. But the handsome, young actor is equally exceptional as the caring, hardworking fisherman, the honest and determined old hobo and, particularly, as the loving, hardworking older brother of a sick little girl.

Staged alley style, with cushion seating available for younger theatergoers wanting to get up close and personal to the story, Sarah Watkins’ scenic design builds mountains and buildings, furnishings and fishing boats from a vast collection of period suitcases and trunks. The play is lit with a fairy tale atmosphere by Jessica Carson. And great credit goes to First Stage Milwaukee for creating the various artful incarnations of the Edward Tulane doll.

Kathryn Walsh’s extraordinary production of Kate DiCamillo’s is equally funny and heartbreaking. It’s a perfect story for Easter as well as for the first weeks of Spring. This talented director guides her skilled actors in creating a cast of characters that sparkle with candor and imagination. If youngsters attending this play haven’t already read the book upon which it’s based, this production will absolutely inspire them to do so. Filament Theatre Company has brought so many wonderful literary adaptations to life for Chicago audiences, but it can add this classic to the roster of their very best. It may be that this is Filament Theatre’s greatest achievement ever for family audiences, and it will certainly be remembered for a long time to come.

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas                  

Presented March 30-May 25 by Filament Theatre, 4041 N Milwaukee Ave., Chicago.

Tickets are available in person at the box office, by calling 773-270-1660 or by going to www.filamenttheatre.org/Edward.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.