“The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” at HSC classic Twain hijinks

HARTFORD — Good old Tom Sawyer, the perennial “pet of the old and envy of the young” as one of the characters say in this new adaptation by Laura Eason of our own Mark Twain’s “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer,” at the Hartford Stage Company running through May 9.
Set in the 1840’s in St. Louis, Missouri, the first thing you are greeted with in this minimalist set by Daniel Ostling, is that famous white picket fence that dear old Aunt Polly (Nancy Lemenager) sets our hero Tom, played with comfortable assuredness by the tousle-headed Tim McKiernan, to white-washing.
There are few surprises here, but why should there be? Who would mess with perfection?
Huckleberry Finn is played with sweet innocence and tons of energy by Casey Predovic, and Louisa Krause’s Becky Thatcher is perky and charming. The three seem to be in their early 20s, which is a touch old for their respective roles, but they all capture the enthusiasm of discovery and adventure of youth.
In what must be one of his first attempts at courtship, Tom flirts with Becky asking her, “Do you like rats?” When she emphatically says no, he says, “I mean dead ones.”
Becky is charmed none-the-less, and lets Tom chew her gum from her mouth for a while — “but you must give it back to me,” she insists.
When she becomes jealous and throws a fit after hearing that he has used his charming ways with another girl, he offers her his prized brass doorknob as appeasement.
Huck is not too pleased with these female interruptions that get in the way of their adventures, but they manage to have a fun anyway, playing pirates and basically treating life like an imaginative, dramatic, never ending adventure.
One of the enchanting aspects of Mark Twain’s Tom Sawyer, that comes through in this faithful adaptation, is his real heroic nature, taking a beating so Becky won’t suffer is a truly kind act.
Another is that even when his life is at serious risk by the very bad Injun Joe, played with fine menace by Teddy Canez, McKiernan’s Tom doesn’t hate or judge him. He just naturally, unconditionally loves everybody, and has no time or need for holding grudges.
Tom’s nightmare dream sequence at the start of Act II is well-realized and really brings you into his dilemma — should he let Muff Potter, the innocent town drunkard, played by the excellent Erik Lochtefeld, hang for something he didn’t do, and protect himself? Or should he tell the truth of the murder he witnessed by Injun Joe, and risk being murdered himself?
The scene when he and Becky get lost in McDougall’s cave is high adventure at its best, and once again shows what an iconic hero Tom really is.
Even if you’ve read the original, it’s worth seeing this energetic, good-natured production. Be sure to bring the kids to see Tom and company at the Hartford Stage.

THE ADVENTURES OF TOM SAWYER

3½ Stars
Location: Hartford Stage Company, 50 Church Street, Hartford.
Production: Adapted for the stage by Laura Eason. Directed by Jeremy B. Cohen. Scenic design by Daniel Ostling. Costume design by Ilona Somogyi. Lighting design by Robert Wierzel. Original music and sound design by Broken Chord Collective.
Running time: 2 ½ hours with one intermission.
Show Times: Selected Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays at 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., with matinees performances Sundays and selected Wednesdays and Saturdays at 2 p.m. through May 9.
Tickets: $23- $66. Call 860-527-5151 or visit their website at www.hartfordstage.org.
ACTOR…CHARACTER
Tim McKiernan … Tom Sawyer
Casey Predovic … Huckleberry Finn
Louisa Krause … Becky Thatcher
Nancy Lemenager … Aunt Polly, Judge, Widow Douglas
Chris Bowyer … Sid Sawyer, Doc Robinson, Lawyer
Joe Paulik … Joe Harper, Lawyer, Accomplice
Teddy Canez … Injun Joe, School Master, Minister
Erik Lochtefeld … Muff Potter, Widow Douglas’ brother