Beneath Every Hat We’re All the Same

Mr. Dickens’ Hat – Northlight Theatre

That unrivaled bastion of art in Skokie, the excellent Northlight Theatre has offered some exquisite holiday productions in the past. Before the pandemic shut down the theatre, they commissioned and produced two delectable, crowd-pleasing Christmas-themed comedies. Both plays were an absolute delight and featured Elizabeth Bennet, Mr. Darcy and host of Jane Austin’s best-loved characters from Pride and Prejudice.

During the hiatus, gifted playwright/composer Michael Hollinger was tasked with creating a brand new literary-based holiday play. Now that theatre has thankfully made a comeback, this original play with music is finally having its much-awaited world premiere at Northlight Theatre. It’s a wonderfully inventive piece of theatre, creatively directed here by Lookingglass Theatre Company’s David Catlin, and destined to become another holiday classic.

The story is set in mid-1800’s London, during the height of Charles Dickens’ popularity. Set in a tiny hat shop, co-owned by Mrs. Prattle and Mr. Garbleton, young Kit works as their assistant. She’s trying to save up enough money to pay for her father’s release from debtor’s prison. Between keeping the shop neat and clean and helping with the hats, when time allows Kit reads Dickens’ novels to young Ned, Garbleton’s son. This cozy Victorian shop’s prized possession is, in fact, a tattered top hat that once belonged to the famous author. He accidentally left it there after he once used it to carry water to the victims of a train wreck on the nearby trestle. Since the valuable chapeau might bring a high price from collectors of Dickens memorabilia, two ruthless thieves plot to steal it. Kit is determined to thwart their underhanded efforts and, in doing so, save her father from a life in the slammer.

This extraordinary comic drama plays out as Story Theatre, in which a company of actors set out to improvise the tale surrounding “Mr. Dickens’ Hat.” All the actors are both the story’s narrators, as well as portraying the various characters.  As the story progresses, they play a multitude of different roles of either gender. Director David Catlin has masterfully guided and, at times, intricately choreographed, this exciting production. There are also some beautiful original carols, written by Hollinger, that help create that Victorian feeling. They sound gorgeous, as sung by the cast, thanks to Chuck Larkin’s musical direction.

When the audience arrives, the playing area looks more like someone’s cluttered storage unit than an actual stage set. The clever six-member company immediately get to work telling the story, while setting up the scene, using a myriad of props and scenic pieces to create the hat shop. Throughout the play, the stage seems to always be in constant motion as it becomes the debtors prison, the train trestle, and several other locales. A moody lighting design by Jason Lynch adds the necessary atmosphere to this depiction of foggy London town. Off to the side there’s a Foley Table where many of the sound effects will be created, and the actors continually add or remove Sully Ratke’s period-perfect costume pieces to create new characters.

This cast is incredible. Each member of the company brings so much talent and creativity to their various characters. The standing ovation they receive at the final curtain is certainly well-deserved. Lovely Cordelia Dewdney, remembered for her many terrific performances at Lookingglass Theatre, primarily plays Kit. This actress has the most expressive face and voice, and she easily charms the audience with her earnestness and innocence. We relish the love and care she shows her father and the people of her world, while fearing for her safety and cheering her brave heroics. Nick Sandys, the gifted actor known for his extraordinary performances at Remy Bumppo Theatre, shows his versatility and many talents in this play. He portrays Kit’s gentle Father, the heartless villain Fleece, and several other characters. His sonorous voice rings through the darkness and blends nicely in the caroling.

Kasey Foster, another Lookingglass alum, primarily plays Mrs. Prattle, the shop proprietor. She also morphs easily into Kit’s deceased Mother, the Locksmith and several others. Audiences may recall Ms. Foster as the Ballerina in Lookingglass Theatre’s “The Steadfast Tin Soldier.” Her lovely singing voice and vocal agility enable this actress to easily become other characters at the (ahem) drop of a hat. The accomplished, ever hardworking Mark David Kaplan is delightful in so many roles. He’s the lovable co-owner of the Hat Shop, playing the chronically befuddled Mr. Garbleton. He also portrays Gnat, Mr. Fleece’s accomplice in crime, among many other characters.

Beautiful Christine Bunuan, fresh off the National Tour of “Miss Saigon,” brings her comic genius and musical talent to several roles. She’s very funny as both fussy, social climber Lady Plume, as well as a detail-obsessed bobby, Constable Witslow. One of the production’s most whimsical costume pieces is Lady Plume’s bonnet with its floating bird floating motif. And making his Northlight debut, skilled, young actor/musician Ruchir Khazanchi is wonderfully heartbreaking and honest as young Ned. He and Ms Dewdney make a great team together in this production. He also lends his considerable talents to playing the hilarious, arrogant Countess, as well as several other parts.

Michael Hollinger’s original, new Story Theatre play is a wonderful period comic drama that’s perfect for the holidays. It plays out as a tightly-directed, finely-textured one-act, running a fast-paced 90 minutes. Although this play isn’t specifically a Christmas play, because of its ties to Charles Dickens it has a certain holiday feel to it. Employing the familiar theme that we shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, Hollinger reminds us that beneath every hat we’re all the same. Filled with heart, and sporting so many sparkling, creative performances, inventive artistic and technical support and a background of lush music, this play is a must-see for Chicagoland during this season.      

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented November 26-January 2 by Northlight Theatre, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie, IL.

Tickets are available in person at the box office, by calling (847) 673-6300 or by going www.northlight.org.

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