Much will be familiar to local theatergoers attending "The Highest Tide," Book-It's final production of the season. The production is based on a novel by Jim Lynch who grew up around Seattle, graduated from the University of Washington and now lives in Olympia. It stars Queen Anne resident Kellen Larson and features Magnolia resident John Patrick Lowrie. What's more, the Nisqually earthquake adds to its drama, and the Puget Sound itself plays a significant role in the storyline.
The novel was a natural for Book-It's co-artistic director Jane Jones who adapted it for the stage and directs the current production. She was captivated by this tale of wonder, its humor and vivid descriptions of sea creatures. The Los Angeles Times called it "an irresistible coming of age fable dappled with lyricism, briny honesty and good humor." It's a book with Northwest roots that Book-It expects will be appealing to young and old.
This isn't the first time 14-year-old Kellen Larson has been on stage in Seattle. He has also appeared in several locally produced independent films. Though he loves acting, he's just a regular eighth-grader at University Preparatory Academy who enjoys hanging out with his friends on Queen Anne.
As Miles O'Malley, the 13-year-old height-challenged boy who knows more about marine life than many adults will ever know, Kellen has an emotionally complicated role to play. He must come to terms with his father who would rather have had a more robust and taller son. He must also maneuver the emotional highs and lows of adolescence and his sexual awakening. All the while, he delves deeper and deeper into the mysteries of the Puget Sound and its fantastic flora and fauna.
John Patrick Lowrie plays the judge who lives next door. He befriends Miles and encourages his interest in the sea. He's also the father of an out-of-control daughter, who was Miles's babysitter and now is the object of his early adolescent fantasies. Lowrie is a familiar stage presence in Seattle, having played all the major theaters here and on the Eastside.
The 18-member cast also includes a number of interns from Cornish College. Book-It has had a long-term relationship with Cornish and often brings Cornish students to its stage. Its founding members and co-artistic directors Jones and Myra Platt also teach master classes there.
An unusual facet of this production is the contribution being made by People for Puget Sound. That group has created an educational environment about life in the Sound that will be on display in the theater lobby. PPS will also provide a once-a-week program about the sea creatures and environment featured in the play. These talks, given by a naturalist, will take place 45 minutes before the curtain. Check with the theater for dates.
"The Highest Tide"
April 18 to May 10, with a
preview tomorrow.
Book-It Repertory Theatre
Center House Theatre
305 Harrison St.
Tickets: 206 216-0833 or
online at www.book-it.org.