We’re All Orphans

The Christmas Foundling – Pride Films & Plays

On a cold Christmas Eve in 1850, high in the Sierra foothills of California, a pregnant young woman stumbles into the crude, cabin of gold prospectors, Hoke and Old Jake. Hoke helps deliver her baby and, before he can learn her name or where she’s from, the woman dies in his arms. Not very learned in the art of childrearing, Hoke and his partner Old Jake at least realize the baby is crying because he’s hungry. They borrow a nanny goat from one of their male buddies and the child, whom Hoke names Tom, thrives. 

Flash forward a decade. We find little Tom has grown to be smart, inquisitive young boy. Without trying, the foundling has not only strengthened the union between his two dads, he’s brought his fathers’ three prospector friends, Boston, Moscow and Georgia (named for where the land from which they hailed), closer together. Thus, a family is formed in the Western wilds. Although Tom learns about nature and picks up some Russian from his “Uncle” Moscow, the boy is illiterate, just like the older men.

Enter Sarah, a refined woman who’s traveled from Boston, Massachusetts in search of her missing sister. With little surprise, Sarah turns out to be Tom’s aunt and she’s determined to get custody of her nephew and rescue him from a life devoid of a formal education. She and Hoke take a liking to each other, and she tries to convince him to join Tom and herself on the long voyage back to civilization. But Hoke can’t forget the traumatic life he left behind, growing up in New York City. So, with reservations, he choses to give up the boy he’s come to think of as his son so Tom can have a better life. After Sarah and Tom leave California, Hoke decides to spend his free time learning how to read. When a treasured letter finally arrives from Tom, relating the wonders of living in Boston, Hoke’s able to read it to Old Jake and their friends, much to their surprise. But the surprises don’t end there and this sweet play that professes that we are all orphans and the family we chose may be more loving than the family into which we’re born.

This is a charming little play, adapted by Normal Allen from a story by Bret Harte. It’s simple and straightforward, if a little too  predictable. Danne W. Taylor has directed a respectable production in the intimate Buena Theatre on Broadway. He’s staged the play inside Kailee Tomasic’s sparse scenic design, that serves the play well and makes economic use of the tiny stage. The primitive pine trees that create a backdrop, along with the roughhewn wooden structure and furnishings give a flavor of backwoods charm. The play is peppered with folk music, sung by the musically talented cast and accompanied by two of the actors on autoharp and guitar.

Fiore Barbini makes his Pride Films and Plays debut as Hoke. At first he plays the character with some distance; but as his relationship with his adopted son develops, Mr. Barbini’s character becomes stronger and likable. Michael D. Graham, who’s talent as a PFP director has been enjoyed in their recent production of “Casa Valentina,” is Old Jake. In addition to portraying Hoke’s caring partner and Tom’s other father, Graham serves as a kind of narrator for the story and provides most of the instrumental and vocal music. As Tom, fifth-grader Henry Lombardo is gentle and sweet. His greatest strength is a gorgeous boy soprano singing voice, which he employs to the audience’s joy.

Beth Ann Smukowski, who was seen as Eleanor in “Casa Valentina,” plays Aunt Sarah as a tough, dyed-in-the-wool East coast city dweller who, at first, looks down her nose at these country rubes. It wouldn’t be wrong to imagine her as an old-fashioned schoolmarm. Sarah occasionally lets down her guard to give us glimmers of the young girl she might have been. When she eventually succumbs to the wonders of the natural world we cheer her evolution. Zane Sade, Max McKune and Leo LaCamera provide some comedy and reflection as Boston, Georgia and Moscow, the two men’s prospecting buddies. Sade, in particular, who plays the guitar, has a fine, strong singing voice.

This play with music isn’t groundbreaking or unusual. It’s a familiar story, the ending of which most theatergoers could almost predict themselves. But the production is heartfelt and appealing. Danne W. Taylor proves he’s not only a terrific actor, but an accomplished director and he’s brought several newcomers to the PFP stage for his pleasantly joyous production.

Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas   

Presented December 7-January 5 by Pride Films & Plays at the Buena, 4147 N. Broadway, Chicago.

Tickets are available at the door, by calling 773-857-0222 or by going to www.pridefilmsandplays.com.

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