BWW Reviews: First Stage Presents Poignant Adaptation of Spinelli's STARGIRL

Theater for Young Audiences (TYA) might be brushed aside, dismissed by adults who give this professional genre less signifigance. First Stage proves this preconception about TYA untrue when they opened an adaptation of Jerry Spinelli's 2002 New York Times bestselling novel Stargirl in the Todd Wehr Theater January 18. Award winning playwright Y York adapted the crossover novel read by adults and youth alike into a poignant character driven script filled with humor that delves into the difficulties growing up at 16 in high school. An age when remaining true to an independent personality with a belief in kindness and nonconformity suffers under peer pressure.

In the First Stage production, the title character Stargirl, also named Susan Caraway, attempts to enter Mica Area High School after being homeschooled and discovers Leo Borlach and his friend Kevin, who both produce an after school video show titled "The Hot Seat." Students sit in the seat resembling a grand black throne and can be asked embarrassing questions for the entertainment of the entire student body. Hilary Kimble, who also works on "The Hot Seat" and her boyfriend Wayne Parr II, represent an element of high school peers who taunt Stargirl for her individuality, in part playing a ukelele and singing folk songs, inbetween classes, and eventually Leo for trying to befriend her.

While dressed in costumes designed by Stargirl's mother for the theater that she wears to school (beautifully created by theater Costume Designer Christina M. Leinicke), Stargirl attempts to be kind to anyone she meets. This attractive, intelligent young woman eventually wins Leo's heart while her clever conversations display amazing philosphies and wisdom far beyond her years. Facts and wisdom learned in part through meeting with "The Professor," who simultaneously tutors Leo, Wayne and Stargirl in the play.

First Stage's sparse set design by Martin McClendo allows Spinelli's characters to shine, which York's script highlights. While four small screens placed high above the stage's four corners flash instant messages and texts to the audience to replicate the student body's feelings, their words humiliate Stargirl. Alison Pogerlc and Ben Braun in the Seguaro Cast give Stargirl and her reluctant boyfriend Leo tender chemistry in this endearing performance. Their new experiences unfold with charm where "true love" includes what a person might try to do if only to please the other person and submerge who they really are. Directed sensitively by John Maclay, the pair carry the production as true adult professionals.

Caroline Fossum's Hillary and Deandre Sabatino's Kevin along with Alex Hatcher's male model who is also unable to be convince students he might be more than his handsome good looks support the two leads superbly. Professional, age appropriate casting, which First Stage continually ommitts to, deveops a powerful production underpinned with adult actor Richard Ganoung's quirky professor.

While the action builds slowly through the beginning 15 minutes in the first act, an audience's patience produces profound rewards. These actors remind those in the theater individuality needs to be encouraged, life is good if happy moments outweigh the the sad moments, the path to love can be strewn with mishaps, and whether aged 16 or 60, when circumstances change quickly, life might become difficult to navigate. Stargirl's enchanting character believes when people become older, they might transform into being kinder, wiser and more evolved into higher level human beings capable of celebrating similarities instead of differences.

In the aftermath of the recent terrorist attacks in Paris eventually reverberating throughout Europe, Stargirl gifts the audience with these persuasive ideas well-worth reconsidering. Spinell's unique Stargirl comments in a speech contest that humanity-all humanity-began from the same microscopic cells concocted by mixing an inexpensive combination of ordinary earthly elements. This then means essentially each human being is the same, sharing more similarities than differences when people choose to look beyond the surface of their skin or first impressions.

This winter, whether an adult or older youth, presents the perfect time, perhaps a critical time, to revisit these compelling facts, time honored ideals, that can be pondered well past the theater talk back. A time to remember adult themes seen through the perspective of youthful eyes will provide moments to warm the soul. First Stage's poignant and powerful Stargirl celebrates kindness, true love and striving to serve each other as fellow human beings to make the world a better place in life's brief moments shared on earth.

First Stage presents Stargirl at the Todd Wehr Theater in the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts through February 15. For information, performance schedule or tickets, please call 414.275.7206 0r visit www.firststage.org.

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