Review: Kids4Kids Opener a Funny 'Tale'
October 3, 2008
By PRUDENCE TAYLOR
Special to the Index-Journal
Greenwood, SC - When Judy Blume published “Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing” in 1972, she created a monster in the character of 2-year-old Farley Drexel Hatcher, better known as Fudge.
Bruce Mason deftly adapted the book for the stage, retaining the humor and heart of the story. Peter Hatcher, a fourth-grader, lives in the shadow of his baby brother, Fudge. It seems to Peter that Fudge gets all the attention while he is invisible -- a nothing.
He turns to his turtle, Dribble, for comfort. Then Fudge makes away with Dribble, and it’s the last straw for Peter. |
| The play is Greenwood Community Theatre’s Kids4Kids season opener, beginning Friday. The play is directed by Mary Lynn Polk, Joyce Nickles and Bess Park.
Jacob Whitt, as Peter, has a good sense of comic timing while Davis Edwards gives an energetic performance as the terrible 2-year-old, Fudge. Taylor Deal is wonderfully believable as the exhausted mother caring for her family and attending art school. A special nod goes to Lauren Vaughan who has good stage presence and turns in a convincing performance as the bossy Sheila.
The rest of the cast is solid, and the play is fast paced. Peter’s nightmare is especially well done with lighting, blocking, and acting working to show us Peter’s true feelings about his family and friends.
This funny tale about sibling rivalry ends happily for everyone, and Peter realizes that he is someone after all.
Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing is presented by the Greenwood Children's Theatre this Friday, October 3 and Saturday October 4 at 8 PM and Saturday, October 4 and Sunday, October 5 at 2 PM. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors with ID, and $8 for children 11 and under. For more information, contact the Greenwood Community Theatre at (864) 229-5704.
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