Now in its 73rd year, J.R.R. Tolkien's fantasy novel has inspired numerous adaptations for many a medium—including stage, radio, video game, and animated film. Many of the live stagings are heavily truncated, finding the task of depicting the story's raft of bizarre, otherworldly creatures a quest more challenging than that faced by Bilbo Baggins, the story's titular hero.
Working from Patricia Gray's fairly literate 1968 adaptation, director Nathan Makaryk and an army of assistants have crafted a production populated with towering trolls and dragons, giant spiders, fearsome goblins and more. One of the keys to this staging's success is Makaryk's design of life-size and larger puppets, requiring considerable coordination by a team of actors who provide voice and movements. Makaryk has also created a single all-purpose set that works as Bilbo's home, the depths of Lonely Mountain, the forests of Mirkwood, the village of Lake Town, the lair of giant dragon Smaug, and other settings. And Makaryk has choreographed the many exciting battle scenes, designed the show's often moody lighting, and co-designed its thundering sound effects.
The all-important element here is the underlying, fablelike tone, bolstered by the production team's impressive visual and technical effects and by wonderfully detailed characterizations that combine acting, costumes (Andrea Birhholm), and puppetry. As such, the cast is superb, beginning with Nick McGee's ultra-refined little Hobbit Bilbo, the reluctant adventurer who returns home a hero. Michael J. Keeney is a commanding, heroic Thorin, king of the dwarves. Ryan Young is aptly fierce as Dwalin, Thorin's hot-tempered lieutenant. David Chorley's bald, slimy Gollum is genuinely creepy. With her flowing blond locks, precise diction, and theatrical gestures, Kalinda Gray's Storyteller functions as a vital guide into a world that's mysterious, dangerous, and always magical. Don't be fooled by this venue's small size: Maverick's "Hobbit" staging is a triumph of production design suitable for family viewing.
Presented by and at Maverick Theater, 110 E. Walnut Ave., Suite B, Fullerton. Aug. 6–Sept. 19. Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 3 and 8 p.m. (714) 526-7070. www.mavericktheater.com.
