Around Des Moines

The Des Moines Playhouse ends its 2007-2008 children’s season with the upbeat and fun Holes. Most of the story takes place at Camp Green Lake and campy is one of the descriptions for the play. Another theme is the adventure of discovering the story behind a local legend. For those people old enough to remember The Wonderful World of Disney, imagine one of those stories written with an extra touch of intentional humor.

The second show of Sunday, May 4, 2008, started out tentatively. The pace was fast, in keeping with the rest of the production, but without advanced knowledge of that context and without consistently strong performances by all the cast, the opening left the audience uncertain of the play. That quickly changed when Todd Buchacker, as Mr. Sir, strutted out on stage. A few of the adult audience members laughed loudly and the actors responded to the acknowledgment.

For shows at the Kate Goldman Children’s Theatre, adults and youth are given different program books. The children’s books are geared towards helping them learn about theatrical performances by connecting with the actors. The adults’ books include information on all parts of the production. In Kathy Pingel’s director’s notes in the adult book there is a slight spoiler but I recommend reading it before the play anyway. As I left the theatre I felt as though the story was not fully explained through the action and the words of the play. A day later, as I write this review, I realize the components were all there. Think of the way Ellery Queen solved mysteries, with knowledge of words and memory of what people said. Much of what is said in the play is ordinary, yet a few of those words hold special significance in understanding the final course of events. Adults also receive an insert on how Carol J. Taylor, the retired education director at the playhouse, was challenged to create yellow-spotted lizard puppets. Read that item before the play, too.

Louis Sachar’s story looks at how family curses can offer opportunities for redemption. Stanley Yelnats picks up a pair of sneakers that fall at his feet. He is whisked off to court and sentenced to Camp Green Lake. The warden at the camp requires the boys in her charge to dig a hole a day. When Stanley first arrives, he is a stranger to be taunted. Common work and interactions build comradery and loyalty.

Karen Schaeffer (Warden), Mark Maddy (Mr. Pendanski), and Paula Krull (Kate Barlow) are the adult actors who deserve mention for their performances. They looked as though they were having fun but they also made their characters believable.

High school sophomore Abi LeBlanc, as Stanley, proves that an actor does not have to be a male to play a boy. The other boys were played by Caleb Fisher (Zero), Matt Pierick (X-Ray), Aaron Primrose (Armpit), Davon Lee (Zig-Zag), and Grant Goss (Magnet). They all worked well as an ensemble.

Angela Lampe’s costume design also merits praise.

M.R. Field writes reviews for AroundDesMoines.com.