“Stories are wild creatures… When you let them loose, who knows what havoc they might wreak?”
The North Crawford Playhouse is bringing yet another imaginative play to the stage in its spring production of ‘A Monster Calls,’ the powerful and moving adaptation of Patrick Ness’s acclaimed novel, based on an original idea by Siobhan Dowd.
At the center of the story is Conor O’Malley (John Powell), a young boy grappling with something far scarier than the nightmare that wakes him each night. His mother (Dmitri Staum) is seriously ill, his grandmother (Lena Schmidt) won’t stop interfering, and his dad (Aaron Maly) is busy with his other family in America.
At school, his best friend Lily (Ariel Knoble) keeps pestering him, Mrs. Godfrey (Bea Moran) tiptoes around him, and his bullies–Harry (Dalton Ewing), Sully (Chloe Kvigne), and Tony (Nora Kvigne)–won’t leave him alone.
Then, at 12:07 a.m., a Monster (Camden Unseth, Gracie Jones, Aurora Olson, Kayla Bankes, Nathan Guthrie-Stubbs) appears outside his window. However, this is not the monster of fairy tales.
Instead, the ancient yew tree demands that Conor listen to three stories—and then tell one of his own. What unfolds is a moving exploration of grief, anger, guilt, and the complicated truths we struggle to admit even to ourselves. A blend of moral fable and adolescent reality, ‘A Monster Calls’ provokes audiences to question what we hold most dear–and what we must let go.
Under the direction of a talented creative team including Brandon Bankes, Camille Smith, Rob Ghormley, Greta Greif, Brent Schwert, and Abigail Jorgensen, students have embraced the play’s emotional depth and challenging theatrics.
“This play is the perfect example of art mirrors life,” says playhouse director Brandon Bankes. “There are folks in our community living this story right now. We gave our students a huge challenge when we picked this play–to sit with that discomfort and complexity–and they have amazed us with their compassionate treatment of this moving tale.”
A first at the playhouse, the production is staged in a thrust configuration, with audience members on three sides of the stage. Beyond imaginative staging, the production also incorporates physical storytelling, digital projection technology, and a highly involved ensemble to create a world where Conor can face his nightmare.
In working through these challenges, students have not only developed as performers, but have also engaged in impactful conversations about empathy, courage, and mortality.
This production is a must-see!
IF YOU GO:
Performances are March 10, 12, 13, 14 at 7 p.m. with a March 14 matinee at 2 p.m. Tickets are available at ncplayhouse.ludus.com or at the door prior to performances. This production is appropriate for students in middle school and above.
