Yardley Players reprises the story of Frank and Lillian Gilbreth’s clan of 12 children.
By: Stuart Duncan
Cheaper by the Dozen began as a book, was made into a film and only then dramatized for the stage. Yardley Players has reprised that stage version, by Christopher Sergel, and is presenting it at Kelsey Theatre on the campus of Mercer County Community College in West Windsor, in a production that should delight young and old.
Frank Bunker Gilbreth and his wife, nee Lillian Moller, indeed did have a dozen children. Two of them Ernestine (number two, actually) and the eldest boy, Frank Jr. (number four) wrote the original book and, not surprisingly, act as our narrators for the play. Father was something of a scientist and a self-proclaimed expert on time studies. He was forever dreaming up projects for the family and each was expected to carry out his or her function. He enjoyed giving a loud whistle and timing the children on how quickly they formed a lineup. The play covers a short period in the 1920s when everything was in a state of considerable flux.
Father has just received the news that his heart was bad and that he might have no more than six months to live. The oldest girl, Anne, was tired of trying to gain male attention and was determined to wear silk stockings as a solution. The next two girls seemed to be in favor of such a move. Father, for his part, was intent on getting the children to skip grades and therefore be able to cope with the situation if he, indeed, were no longer alive.
Director Howard Matter has done a miraculous job of finding young talent that seems to so easily fit into the roles. James Cordingley is a superb father, and Rose McGlew a patient and ever-attentive mother. And the children are polished, from Anne, the oldest (beautifully played by Kristen Hermes), right down to the adorable Anna Herwig as Jackie. Actually there are only nine who appear on stage; the others supposedly are upstairs in the nursery. But all are excitingly talented Lea Barats, David Szemis, Defne Ildiz, Albert Scerbo and Claire Norden.
Our narrators (Frank Jr., and Ernestine) are beautifully played by Nicholas Bleisch and April Brenner. They begin by expertly setting the scenes, then step deftly into the action. Director Matter has polished the performances so that the most complicated of stage movements seem perfectly natural. There were many family members and friends at the opening weekend performances; they had much to be proud of.
Cheaper By the Dozen continues at Kelsey Theatre, Mercer County Community College, 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor, through Oct. 9. Performances: Fri-Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. Tickets cost $12, $10 seniors/students/children. For information, call (609) 584-9444. On the Web: www.kelseytheatre.net