Greetings Patrons of Live Theatre!
Welcome to Treegap, New Hampshire, and the 2018 Fall Musical production of Tuck Everlasting. As always, the kids (51 strong, grades 6-12) have worked hard both on- and off-stage to make this production as magical as possible. On behalf of the production staff and students, I thank you for taking the time to spend a few hours with us as we indulge in one of our passions - live theatre! There is truly nothing like the experience of live theatre, and we sincerely hope that you leave our show with an uplifted spirit in preparation for the holiday season!
Tuck Everlasting, as a stage musical, has a very short - and recent - history in the expansive canon of American Musical Theatre. Based upon the American children's novel (of the same name) by Natalie Babbitt, it features music by Chris Miller, lyrics by Nathan Tysen and a book by Claudia Shear and Tim Federle, with direction and choreography by Casey Nicholaw. The musical had its premiere at the Alliance Theater in Atlanta, Georgia, in 2015. It began Broadway previews on March 31, 2016; and opened on April 26, 2016, at the Broadhurst Theatre, in New York City. The production closed on May 29, 2016, after 39 performances.
Despite its short-lived run on the Great White Way, the story and characters of Tuck Everlasting have made a huge impact on viewing audiences both large and small. One of the primary themes - "would you want to live forever?" - is a question that we revisited as a cast throughout the entire production season. Another theme - "what does time mean to each individual?" - was also discussed at great length. I cannot say enough great things about this cast - how insightful, sensitive, empathetic, and mature they were as they crafted their portrayals of these characters. We are, collectively, raising a great crop here in Houlton, Littleton, Monticello, and Hammond Plantation.
What a treat it was to work on this show, my 16th stage production as an educator in Houlton. When life gets crazy, these kids bring me back to a center and show me what an honor it is to work with them on a daily basis.
I'm thankful for my fellow production staff for helping to make a monster production like this one come to life - I am indebted to Kevin, Hutch, Jamie, Heather, Sandy, Erin, Morgan, Becky, Dee, Jennifer, and the Music Boosters of RSU #29. Without you, this would be impossible.
Finally, a huge thank you to my wife Jennifer, my kids Rhetta and Isaac, and my "little boy" Simon for not forgetting who I am each Fall. You support and love me through it all, and for that my gratitude is "everlasting."
Once again, on behalf of the students who you are about to see perform magic before your very eyes, I thank you for your continued support of their efforts. I hope you come back to see this show more than once, and I hope you look forward to the Houlton Middle School Spring production of "Dear Edwina, Jr." coming to this theatre in April of 2019.
Thankfully,
JA
