By Michael Buzzelli
Bilbo Baggins (Russell Saylor) is a Hobbit living a pleasant, comfortable life when he is plucked from the Shire and offered a chance to go on a mythic quest by the great wizard Gandalf (Shammen McCune).
Bilbo is the archetypical reluctant hero straight out of the pages of Joseph Campbell’s “The Hero’s Journey.” He hems and haws until he is introduced to a troupe of dwarves led by their cranky leader, Thorin (Ryan Patrick Kearney).
Thorin and the Bilbo clash immediately. The good-natured Hobbit and the gruff dwarf king are polar opposites, but over the course of quest they begin to trust one another.
The questers, which include Balin (Jamie Agnello), Fili (Britt Dorazio), Kili (Maya B. Fullard) and Bombur (José Pérez IV) are beset on by trolls, giant spiders, and all sorts of fantastical creatures on their way to face the Big Bad, Smaug, an imperious dragon. The dragon is hoarding all of the treasure. She’s such a hoarder that Suzanne Chabaud and Cory Chalmers would be incapable of helping.
After a book, a cartoon adaptation and a full-length feature film, it’s safe to say spoilers do not apply to this stage play, but if you’re living in a cave with a prickly dragon and a hoard of gold and haven’t heard of J. R. R. Tolkien and his epic fantasy, stop reading the review, see the show and meet me back here.
Greg Banks adapted the book for the stage with the intent of bringing new audiences to theater. He has a crafted a work that is perfect for children and the young-at-heart. Banks had a daunting task. He took a 310 page best-selling book and turned it into a play.
The playwright introduces an element that is meant to bring the audience into the story. The actors begin the show around a D & D board and roll multi-sided dice. It’s an unnecessary contrivance and it doesn’t wholly work, but every other element does.
The cast is marvelous. Saylor is the right amount of curmudgeon, with a soft sweetness, and childlike wonder.
McCune has the requisite gravitas to play the mighty wizard, Gandalf. Her voice is deep and authoritative, yet she displays a playful, joyous side on the O’Reilly stage. She is a fantastic choice to lead the mythic quest. She is a Pittsburgh treasure worth more than a mountain of gold.
Kearney’s character has the fullest arc in the story. He goes from gruff to grateful to greedy. His death scene is the most poignant moment in the play [You were warned you about spoilers].
Fullard gets some great lines as the resident scaredy-cat dwarf.
While they are mostly dwarves, Fullard, Agnello, Dorazio and Pérez play a variety of roles. They are all exceptional.
Pérez does an Elvin Queen that is hilarious. He also doubles as the fight choreographer and the fight scenes are impressive.
Matt Acheson and Jamie Agnello’s puppet designs were marvelous, creations of pure imagination, whimsical, mysterious and even, at times, frightening.
Smaug is literally and figuratively smoke and lights, but Robert J. Aguilar’s lighting design makes the dragon come to life.
The set, designed by Jennifer Zeyl, is a thing of beauty. It’s a jungle gym disguised as a home suitable for a Hobbit – a hobbitat.
Director Marya Sea Kaminski lovingly created a playful, big and fun adventure for all ages. Fantasy fans will marvel in the beauty of the creation. If your not familiar with any iteration of “The Hobbit,” now isn’t the best time to start. While our hero loves a cup of tea – this one won’t be yours.
“The Hobbit” overcomes the adage that there are limitations to a stage show. You just need a decent script and great actors to create magic.
-MB
“The Hobbit” runs until November 10 at the Pittsburgh Public Theater, inside the O’Reilly Theater, 621 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. For more information click here.
