BWW Reviews: Jory and Actors Theatre Mount Charming Adaptation of TOM JONES

Anyone with even the barest knowledge of Louisville's theatre history understands the significance of putting the words "Jon Jory" and "Actors Theatre" in the same sentence. When Actors' former longtime artistic head returns, lately with his many adaptations of classic British literature, it's always cause for attention. With "Tom Jones," his dramatizing of Henry Fielding's 1749 novel "A History of Tom Jones, a Foundling," Jory seems less interested in making the sort of grand splash of a Humana Festival entry and more focused on having some pure fun.

Even without knowing the original novel, the story will be obvious enough to anyone familiar with the "rebellious rogue follows heart against societal restrictions" trope. Jones is a bastard (by parentage, later by reputation) taken in by a country squire. A free-spirited mischief maker, his recreational dalliances are many even as he finds his heart drawn to Sophia, daughter of the neighboring nobility. His pursuit of her takes him from his home into the the thick of English society - and through many, many beds along the way.

Jory gives a grand and spirited push to every detail, so much so that the namesake of the play itself often falls into the "straight man" role. The play is cheekily conscious of its artifice: characters address the audience, set pieces are minimalistic, and stick horses carry characters at breakneck pace across the English countryside that is the round of the Bingham Theatre. Most of Jory's tricks work. Some do not. ("Hook you up" should never be uttered on stage, in any piece from any period.)

The ensemble relishes the material and Jory's approach to it. As Tom, Drigan Lee is a bit one-dimensional against the vivid cast of characters he encounters, but has his fun moments and great chemistry with Maren Bush's winsome Sophia. Standouts include Robyn Cohen doing double duty as the lusty Molly and the oddball Lady Bellaston, a sort of 18th-century Lady Gaga in all her cartoonish bizarreness, and V.C. Heidenreich is an imperial pint of bombastic brogue as Sophia's father, Squire Western.

While not likely to become as classic as its source, this witty, swashbuckling, utterly charming piece of work is a great bit of fun for Actors' golden anniversary, from a man having a ball in the mature years of his theatre career. "Tom Jones" runs through Dec. 8. Tickets and showtimes are available at www.actorstheatre.org.

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