Adrienne Walters as Tink and Cory Censoprano as Peter Pan
“Ordinarily, a theater reviewer does not attend a preview. Unfortunately, production costs leave small companies no choice but to book a run for only two weekends, and the play will not have a review if the reviewer doesn’t attend a preview.
A reviewer really shouldn’t go to a preview where the first two were canceled due to an actor quitting on Friday and the play’s director is taking over that role, script in hand.
However, as another audience member remarked: this didn’t feel like a preview. Red Egg Theater’s new production of “Book of Tink” was powerful, cohesive and breathtaking. A couple of sound level issues and a lighting cue that was missed should not keep you from seeing the final three performances of this haunting play.
Red Egg takes children’s stories and turns them on their shadow side “” literally. Their specialty is shadow puppetry and other forms of puppetry. In this current 10-person ensemble production of the “Peter Pan” story from Tinker Bell’s point of view, there are several puppets, including the Crocodile, Michael, and Nana. Before you think, “Oh, puppets and Tinker Bell, I’ll bring the kids!” stop right there. Wendy (Erin Johnson) is manipulative and neurotic and seduces Peter (Cory Sensoprano) whom she ultimately tries to murder. Tink A(drienne Walters) loves Hook (Lara Elizabeth Foy). Hook loves Peter, who slices off her hand, and Tink truly is a tinker: fashioning a hook for Hook and a metal crocodile head to eat the Mermaid Prostitutes and rescue the fairies from hell, which is where Tink goes when she dies. No “everybody clap!” here!
This is a still unpublished musical by Erik Ehn, head of the play-writing program at Brown University. It has been performed by a dozen companies, each of which composed original music for Mr. Ehn’s lyrics. Emily Intersimone has composed a wonderful score: the musical numbers are by turns rousing, disturbing, hilarious, and touching. The love-smitten Tink and Hook get the gorgeous ballads.
Red Egg puts on green shows. They use recycled materials. Props are from thrift stores. The set, designed by Christopher Frost and director/puppet designer — and, now, actor — Gina Marie Hayes, is made of used materials. Amy Bobeda’s costumes are made from recycled fabric.
“Tink” is an example of fine ensemble acting. The play revolves around Tink, and Adrienne Walters carries this show admirably, but there wasn’t a clinker in this group, rounded out by Jake Pino, Renee Gholikely, Katie Burris, Boris Volkov and Travis Wyckoff. Go, but get a sitter for the kids.”
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