Here’s my review of Ramona Quimby, the latest production from the Orlando Repertory Theatre, which appears in Monday’s Orlando Sentinel.
As a boy, it always seemed like it would be fun to pal around with
Ramona Quimby, the rambunctious star of Beverly Cleary’s juvenile book
series. After all, her favorite pastime was torturing her annoying
older sister. Cool!
And, yeah, she dragged her favorite doll around, as girls do — but the
doll had greenish-blue hair and was named Chevrolet. How neat was that?
The Orlando Repertory Theatre’s staged version of Ramona Quimby,
adapted from the books, captures a lot of that fun, in large part
thanks to the high-energy level of Sarah Sculco as the title character.
But what gives the show a little heft are the topical adult problems Ramona and her sister “Beezus,” have to face. Dad (Jason Horne), you see, has lost his
job. Ramona fears that the family will end up living in a refrigerator
box. Worse yet, if Mom (Becky Eck) goes back to work, who will make her
cookies?
At the same time, Dad is trying to quit smoking — and not doing too
well. There are some valuable lifelessons for kids, and adults too,
about how parents mess up once in a while and how families should stick
together. Thankfully, this wisdom is imparted with a light touch
because Ramona has a slew of other problems. Her teacher hates her, her
classmate is a copycat, and her beloved aunt is getting married and
moving away.
The play careens from one crisis to the next, but if things start to
get too heavy, director Kate Ingram interjects fun: A Halloween costume
parade, a sassy waitress, even a giant elephant.
The adult performers overexaggerate their mannerisms: Ramona’s teacher
(Leander Suleiman) is so superior, Aunt Bea (Natalie Peterson) is so
fabulous. But from a child’s point of view, it seems right.
As put-upon Beezus, Aubrey Peeples has a believable sisterly bond with
Sculco’s Ramona. The Quimbys make a family that’s easy to root for.
“Ramona Quimby”
- What: A Len Jenkin children’s drama, based on the books by Beverly Cleary.
- Where: Orlando Repertory Theatre, Loch Haven Park, 1001 Princeton St., Orlando
- When: 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Saturdays, 2 and 5 p.m. Sundays, through May 23.
- Additional events: Sonny’s family night is May 1,
with dinner served after the 4 p.m. show. A backstage tour is offered
May 8, after the 4 p.m. show.
- More info: 407-896-7365 or orlandorep.com.