THEATER REVIEW : Life Springs Eternal From Thoughtful ‘Tuck Everlasting’

What would you do if you had the chance to live forever? Would you take it? That’s the dilemma that audience members ages 8 and up can mull over in the Serendipity Theatre Co.’s sensitive production of “Tuck Everlasting,” based on the award-winning book by Natalie Babbitt about an ageless family and the cycle of life.

In the summer of 1880, little Winnie Foster (Jennifer Bammer) stumbles upon a hidden spring, meets the Tuck family and learns that 87 years before, they had drunk from the spring and become immortal.

Well-meaning, but concerned that discovery of their secret will bring dire consequences to the world, the family kidnaps Winnie for a day, hoping to convince her that no one else must know about it. A con artist (Sam Kuglen) overhears their story, however, and attempts to turn it to his advantage, with tragic results.

*

Winnie must decide if she will take action to protect the family’s secret when Mother Tuck is arrested for murder. (The mix of professional and youth cast members is capable enough, but as Mother Tuck, Sarah Lilly stands out, bringing lively warmth and tenderness to the role.)

Winnie’s moral dilemma is complicated by the fact that handsome 16-year-old Jesse Tuck (Scott Yeskel) has asked her to drink from the spring when she is 16 and join him as his wife.

The production doesn’t achieve much depth, and between-scenes group narratives in silhouette would be more effective if there were fewer of them, but director Scott Davidson has taken care with the look and language of the play. Designer Don Scott’s water wheel/wheel of life set is mechanically noisy but lovely and there’s no skimping on Daphne’s period costumes.

* “Tuck Everlasting,” Serendipity Theatre Co. at the Coronet Theatre, 366 N. La Cienega Blvd., Fridays at 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays at 2 and 7:30 p.m.; Sundays at 1 and 4 p.m. through Nov. 28. $6-$12; (310) 652-9199. Runs 1 1/2 hours.