By Venus Zarris

Pirates are in. Johnny Depp has almost singlehandedly created a renewed wave of obsessive interest in these menacing marauders of the open seas with his creation of the eccentric Captain Jack Sparrow in Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean film franchise. Chicago’s Field Museum is currently offering a popular exhibit entitled Real Pirates and my guess is that there will be roaming bands of pillaging buccaneers plundering the candy this Halloween. Lifeline Theatre’s timing for their season opening World Premiere of Treasure Island couldn’t be better.

Based on Robert Louis Stevenson’s novel of the same name, Treasure Island tells the story of a young man’s unsolicited entanglement with villains, violence, betrayal and buried treasure. Jim Hawkins finds a dead pirate’s treasure map and sets out on a high sea adventure. Danger lurks at every turn as his voyage is filled with cutthroat pirates hell bent on claiming the plundered prize. Lifeline Theatre has become Chicago’s most consistently successful adaptors of literary classics but this production does not engage as completely as their previous offerings have.

Treasure Island opens with dramatically orchestrated visuals and thrilling music but the initial impact is weakened by the first obviously choreographed fight scene. Lifeline has set high standards for itself in past productions, such as in their remarkable The Mark of Zorro, but sadly Treasure Island falls short this time out. John Hildreth’s muddy adaptation doesn’t completely deliver the thrills. Director Robert Kauzlaric compiles a mostly talented cast but the excitement comes in fits and starts, as they seem to be too caught up on the labored adaptation to truly enjoy the story they struggle to tell.

There’s just not enough chemistry happening between any of the characters for us to be fully compelled by the drama. We should be terrified by the pirates. We should be routing for young Hawkins. We should be on the edge of our seats. Instead, we follow along tall tale interested, occasionally delighted but never truly riveted.

Alan Donahue designs a wonderful set. Kevin D. Gawley lights it with dramatic effect. Branimira Ivanova designs superb costumes. Andy Hansen’s Original Music and Sound Design create an outstanding audio atmosphere. All of the peripheral components are there in this technically exceptional production.

Although it is not their most entirely successful adaptation to date, Lifeline’s Treasure Island has enough entertaining aspects to ride the wave of pirate enthusiasm well, provide a decent rendition of this classic yarn and illicit a swashbuckling good time.

2 STARS

(”Treasure Island” runs through November 1 at Lifeline Theatre, 6912 N. Glenwood. 773-761-4477.)

Lifeline Theatre :: Big Stories, Up Close

Treasure Island production photos by Suzanne Plunkett.

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