PLAY REVIEW:  Cheaper by the Dozen

by Charles C. Nash

Strange how you can go through life harboring misconceptions until—Poof!—somebody or something jumps in to set you straight—at long last! One of my own has been the play entitled “Cheaper by the Dozen,” which for some half a century, and for some reason I can’t figure out, I’ve imagined to be a comedy about a married couple—Marjorie Main plus her husband whose name I can’t recall—and their tribulations running a farm. You know, a kind of “Ma and Pa Kettle Buy a Farm” film.

Last night, wonderfully entertained by the local CCPA production of Frank Gilbreth and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey’s “Cheaper by the Dozen,” adapted for the stage by Christopher Sergel, and beautifully directed by Tony Wagner, I finally abandoned my notions about Marjorie Main and 19^th-century American farm life, and tuned into the real play. Yes, the play’s turned out to be about a father’s hilarious but essentially serious and heart-warming attempts, in the 1950’s, in suburban Montclair, New Jersey, to prepare his twelve children for the rough-and-tumble life toward which they’re  all growing at break-neck speed. The story itself was one of my evening’s revelations. Hilarious but, believe me, as a parent, of universal applicability.

The nine children in the play, summoned by their father’s ear-splitting tin whistle, are first seen individually scrambling wildly through windows and doors to form a military line before their martinet father in their living room, tallest first in descending order down to the tiniest fellow. You think you’ve suddenly been transported to a parade ground.

Ashley Magsam, Luke Christianson, Heather Hagenson, Shayd Williams, Finean Williams, Levi Ben, Reece Mader, Caitlyn Cable, and Hannah Tietz—these are the kids who play Mr and Mrs Gilbreth’s youngsters. And they’re just about the most natural and appealing gang of kids I’ve ever seen on stage. (And for this phenomenal transformation we’ve got, I imagine, Tony Wagner to thank.) I think Caitlyn Cable, Heather Hagenson, and, especially, Ashley Magsam deserve special kudoes for their performances. The last of these three has Liveliness, Excitability, and Personal charm to the Nth degree! And the other two aren’t far behind.

Children often appear stiff and scared on stage. These kids, however, just look like they’re having fun up there, like they’re really and truly simpatico siblings getting used to the off-the-wall plans and projects their dad invents and burdens them with, for a good cause. There’s not a false move or word from any of them.

Mike Womack as Dad and Angie Bin as Mom are a warm, loving married couple who, like married couples everywhere with kids, just try to do the best they can.  If Dad tries to separate his lovely daughter Anne from her ardent teenage beaus, for instance, it’s not because he’s naturally mean, but because he, afflicted with heart problems, wants her to be able to concentrate her attention on the things he considers most rewarding and necessary. What father, after all, has ever really understood his teenage daughter? It’s a losing battle. Believe me.

Kay Harper, Garin Williams, Nick Mugee, Treva Williams, and Casey Long complete the cast as boyfriends, boarder, and intimidating teacher. They all do a superb job, and since they’re appearing on the stage of the Fox Theater for the first time, one can only hope they’ll give us all another performance soon. (And that sure goes for director Tony Wagner, too.)

So, what we have here is a thoroughly satisfying play, just about perfect in every way by which you can judge a play and a performance of that play.

You can enjoy the CCPA production of “Cheaper by the Dozen” this Thursday through Saturday, September 10, 11, and 12, at 7PM; and on Sunday, September 13, at 2PM, at the Fox Theater, 110 South Main, here in Nevada. Finally, hearty thanks go to Metz Banking Company for sponsoring this show and, thereby, offering us all a superb example of amateur stagecraft at its very best.