In 1838, Hans Christian Andersen wrote The Steadfast Tin Soldier, his first fairy tale which was completely original rather than based on folklore. While the story is certainly perfect for children, the mood is melancholy and full of unrequited love. In a boy’s toy collection, a tin soldier has only one leg. He falls in love with a paper ballerina. There are adventures and misadventures in the plot, including travelling in a paper boat and being eaten by a fish. All in all, an oddly interesting choice for a theatrical adaptation.
Mary Zimmerman won the 2002 Tony Award for Best Director for the play Metamorphoses. She conceived and directed this unspoken adaptation which has been nicely scored by Amanda Dehnert and Andre Pluess. Picture a stage which is a timeless and colorful homage to an imagined theatrical past. Before the show begins, various cast members cleverly open the doors of a large advent calendar which functions as the curtain. I arrived as December 17th was opened. The playful start was an amusing way to set the mood of the piece that was to follow.
Lasting one hour, The Steadfast Tin Soldier is filled with visual delights which become apparent from the first scene. In order to create perspective, the young boy is a large three piece puppet playing with his toy soldiers. Alex Stein portrays the titular character dressed in a red uniform. The absent leg is black fabric with the word “missing” written down the leg. His physicality draws you in to his handicapped world. Seeing a ballerina dancing on one leg, his heart is captured. I thought Mr. Stein’s performance was ideal.
As with every show I have seen at the Lookingglass Theatre Company, the scenic design (Todd Rosenthal) is memorable. The story adaptation is fun and, intentionally, a little heartbreaking before its transcendent finale. This show is for people who have a sense of wonder. I was transfixed by the relatively simple storytelling and the joy brought to the stage by the five actors. I expect this version of The Steadfast Tin Soldier will become a classic to be enjoyed for years. The evening is a delightful mix of magical and mesmerizing. A welcome holiday treat for all ages.