The members of the Tuck family spend two hours trying to explain why it’s a curse to live forever, but it is only in the final 15 minutes of Tuck Everlasting that the musical drives home what a blessing it is to be mortal. It does this with an extraordinary, wordless ballet.

Director-choreographer Casey Nicholaw’s staggering finale is the only scene that completely fulfills Tuck Everlasting’s obvious aim to be one of those musicals that appeal to children of all ages. Otherwise, the candy-colorful and energetic stage adaptation of Natalie Babbitt’s 1975 novel seems largely suited for 11-year-old girls.

Full review at DC Theatre Scene

Click on any photograph by Joan Marcus to see it enlarged.

Andrew Keenan-Bolger and Sarah Chalres Lewis

Sarah Charles Lewis as Winnie Foster

Andrew Keenan-Bolger and Sarah Chalres Lewis. Terrence Mann below

Terrance Mann

Terrance Mann and cast

Sarah Charles Lewis in Tuck Everlasting

Robert Lenzi and Sarah Charles Lewis

Fred Applegate and Michael Wartella

Carolee Carmello and Michael Park

Andrew Keenan-Bolger and Sarah Charles Lewis, with cast

Andrew Keenan-Bolger, Sarah Charles Lewis, Robert-lenzi, Carolee-Carmello

Andrew Keenan-Bolger as Jesse Tuck and Sarah Charles Lewis as Winnie