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Kansas City's Online Journal of the Performing Arts

Another impressive performance was presented by the Coterie Theatre in their production of Bridge to Terabithia. The play was adapted from the novel by author Katherine Paterson and Stephanie Tolan. Jeff Church directed the young cast, who performed with sincerity and maturity.

The story was about two young outsiders in a small rural town in Virginia. Jesse Aarons, a mild mannered boy, struggled with meeting the needs and expectations of his family and exploring his own artistic ability. His life changed when he met Leslie Burke, a spunky, imaginative girl from the city. Their friendship developed as they explored the land of Terabithia.

Both lead actors made astounding performances. Marshall Hopkins, as Jesse, performed with the endearing shyness of a young boy. He was charming and captured Jesse’s inner artistic struggle. Jesse was brought out of his shell by newcomer Leslie Burke, played by Haley Wolff. Wolff played the independent girl with a keen mind and an adventurous spirit.

The other child actors performed well, though in less well-rounded roles. May Belle, Jesse’s little sister, played by Megan Secrest, was annoying and whiny, but primarily because she wanted to be a big girl and was treated like a baby. The other children, played by Emma Calvert, Georgia Dubois and Sean Moise, served as the self-centered big sister and school bullies, respectively.

The adults were for the most parts sidelined in the children’s story. Jayme Overstreet played Mrs. Aarons, the overworked, underappreciated mother. Coleman Crenshaw was the father, likewise overworked, but displayed kindness and comfort. The most available adult in the story was Miss Edmunds, played by Amy Urbina. As the children’s schoolteacher, she encouraged Jesse’s artistic ability and showed a caring presence in the school’s daunting environment.

The constraints of time didn’t allow for complete justice to the story. The set-up was made of a series of vignettes, which at times seemed disjointed. After a long run-up, the climax happened suddenly and the resolution followed swiftly. Though the final scene nicely rounded out the story, it happened with such abruptness that it felt a little stilted.

The set design was inventive and imaginative, in keeping with the story. Large scale watercolor drawings served as backdrops for the action. When Jesse’s realization of Terabithia was revealed, the audience was audibly impressed. The costumes are right out of the small town 1970s fashion scene.

Bridge to Terabithia was a powerful story of friendship and discovery. The cast and crew of the Coterie Theatre created a believable fantasy world with a nostalgic feeling.

REVIEW:
Coterie Theater
Bridge to Terabithia
Reviewed Tuesday, January 25 at 10 a.m. Runs through February 27.
First floor of the Crown Center Mall
2450 Grand Boulevard, Kansas City, MO
For tickets, information, and show times: call 816-474-6552 or visit www.coterietheatre.org.

Photos by J. Robert Schraeder

By Libby Hanssen

Traditional and New Classical, Theatre Contributor

Libby Hanssen holds degrees from University of Missouri-Kansas City (M.M.) and Ball State University (B.M.) in trombone performance and also studied music education at Indiana University. She has studied trombone with Carl Lenthe, JoDee Davis, John Seidel, John Huntoon and Denis Wick, and music education with Brent Gault, Estelle Jorgensen and Katherine Strand.

While at IU, she taught classes in general music, focusing on listening skills and music fundamentals through practical music usage and exploring new sound constructions. During the course of her studies at UMKC, she performed with many ensembles, including the Conservatory Orchestra and Musica Nova. She has also performed with the Kansas City Puccini Festival, the People's Liberation Big Band of Greater Kansas City, the New Jazz Order, the Indiana Wind Symphony and the Muncie Symphony Orchestra.

In 2010, she was a fellow (one of 23 journalists selected from across the US) for the seventh annual National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Arts Journalism Institute in Classical Music and Opera at Columbia University’s Journalism School in New York City.

Most of her free time is spent with her three boys (son, dog and husband) and camera, exploring the many fine aspects of Kansas City living. She enjoys listening to KKFI - Kansas City Community Radio and KCUR - Kansas City's NPR station, visiting Kansas City's fine collection of museums and galleries, and scavenging in thrift and antique stores to add to her collection of toy instruments.

She writes for the joy of words and the process of constructing a story, maintaining the blog Proust Eats a Sandwich (www.prousteatsasandwich.wordpress.com). She is working on her first book: Murray Goes to the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.