Theater Co. brings ‘Beanstalk’ to stage

Kimberley McGee

Friday, Nov. 30, 2001 | 9:52 a.m.

Wearing a black hat with the name "Jack" emblazoned on the back, the title character of the Nevada Theater Company's holiday children's play putts across the stage on his scooter.

A handful of beans and a belief in magic take Jack -- and the audience -- on a ride through a giant's lair and the enchantment of theater in NTC's production of "Jack and the Beanstalk" by Charles Ludlam.

The play is meant to introduce children and families to classic tales and theater, Deanna Duplechain, artistic director of NTC, said.

"Everyone can come in and take something away," Duplechain said. "It's a magical play."

Under Duplechain's direction the cast, which includes Damon Heath Sager, Heather McCarthy, Zander Schaus and Andrea Jackson, has added a modern twist to the old tale of the boy who trades a cow for magic beans that sprout a beanstalk leading to a giant's heavenly home.

Sager, who plays Jack, wears modern clothes and carries a "Blue's Clues" backpack from the popular children's program on Nickelodeon.

"It's like a rock concert for kids," Duplechain said. "They respond to the actors and see themselves and what they like in the actors."

Sager, as Jack, runs around the stage with a tuft of light-brown hair sticking out from his baseball cap and multicolored socks pulled up to his knees. He said acting for children can truly challenge an experienced actor.

"It's made me grow as an actor," Sager, 27, said. "It's 45 minutes of energy you are putting out to the audience, and if the kids don't think you are honest they let you know. There is no more honest critic than children."

NTC recently returned from a road tour of the fairytale play at elementary schools and community centers throughout Nevada, Utah and Idaho as part of its Books Alive! program.

The theater company raises money annually from schools, foundations and businesses such as the Howard Hughes Corp. and Sprint to bring theater to children in rural areas.

"The whole program is meant to encourage kids to read books and love what theater can do in bringing books alive onstage," Duplechain said. "It's an amazing thing to see the kids get so involved in watching the actors onstage."

The cast of four and Duplechain traveled to the venues in a van with a set by local designer Randy Hendrickson, which includes a 4-foot garden-variety pole that can grow to a towering 6-foot beanstalk.

"Our set and costumes have to fit in the back of the van so we are very minimalist," Duplechain said. "We rely on the actors to bring everything alive and we are known for our theatrical style."

The cast of NTC will produce "The Mineola Twins" by Paula Vogel as its first play next year, from March 21-31. The coming-of-age play follows polar-opposite twins Myra and Myrna through the '50s and '80s.

"We have a lot happening next year," Duplechain said, "and a few surprises."

In June the NTC plans to produce Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" at a Summerlin venue. From June 21-July 8 the company will produce an original play titled "Verboten Vegas."