The Hobbit Captures a Sense of Childhood Wonder

By Holly Hines

Elijah Jones as Bilbo Baggins; photo by Rob Merritt

Coralville-“Good times always bring dragons,” says Thorin Oakenshield (Kyle Lefeber), a dwarf in City Circle Acting Company’s production of The Hobbit... and Friday night’s show fulfilled this promise. Patricia Gray’s stage adaptation of this fantasy story, based on the novel by J.R.R. Tolkien, chronicles the escapades of Bilbo Baggins, a reluctant homebody turned hero. The cast consists of both children and adults — and in this performance, the mix worked.

The play began with a single spotlight shining on Bilbo (Elijah Jones), seated cross-legged, enjoying breakfast. He was quickly interrupted by Gandalf (Kim Qual), summoning him for an adventure. Both characters’ personalities came through as they conversed. Jones conveyed Bilbo’s skittish yet polite demeanor, while Qual exuded the grandeur of Gandalf.

A bit of the comedic value in Bilbo and Gandalf’s conversation was lost to odd inflections, initially, but the actors quickly resolved this uneasiness as they found their chemistry. Throughout the performance, Jones’ rendition of Bilbo remained earnest and humorous, garnering the audience’s laughter.

(l-r) Anna Lindower as Bofur, Jones as Baggins;
photo by Rob Merritt

After Bilbo and Gandalf met, a throng of dwarves came banging at Bilbo’s door — each played by a child donning a long, graying beard. Toby Epstein, playing Kili, and Frances Bottorff, playing Fili, were a great match as the peppy, energetic dwarf brothers. Miriam Marlowe made a memorable entrance as the clownish, bumbling Bombur. Likewise, Serena Collins did an excellent job hobbling around stage as Balin, the eldest dwarf.

After the dwarves convinced Bilbo to help them pursue treasure, a new set of fantasy creatures emerged: trolls. The troll trio, played by Tempest Wisdom, James Toth, and Logan Natvig, used physical comedy exceptionally, sniffing and poking at Bilbo to size him up as a meal. Jason Tipsword’s choreography worked well in this scene, and in the next.

After meeting trolls, the adventurers stumbled on goblins. The Great Goblin (Keon Hunt) wore an effectively creepy mask of blue makeup, designed by Lori Beatty-Fye. He directed his attendants to attack the dwarves — leading to a shock as one goblin leapt out, surprising dwarves and audience members alike, just before Tipsword’s fantastic swordfight choreography.

Jilly Cooke as Gollum, Jones as Baggins; photo by Jackie Jensen

Among the play’s most memorable scenes was the introduction of Gollum, played by talented actress and eighth grader, Jilly Cooke. Cooke immersed herself in the character. She powerfully embodied his odd manners of speech and his eerie, desperate confusion. Her rendition of Gollum’s voice was spot-on — and so was her body language. Throughout the scene, she allowed her shoulders and arms to contort and writhe. She effectively shifted her attention between Bilbo and the audience, and fell to the floor in believable agony upon realizing the “precious” ring was missing.

As the story wound to a close, the audience met elven royalty, as well as the dragon, Smaug (Anna Baynton). Smaug’s costume and makeup were a dazzling display of red and orange. Across the front of her faux-scaled leotard, Baynton wore a sparkling suit of “diamond” armor. This get-up, designed by Becca Goldknopf Anderson, struck me as one of the play’s most beautiful visuals.

The lighting direction of Caleb Clark caught my attention, as well. At several instances, a single spotlight introduced Bilbo, seated with his diary, detailing his adventures. This echoed the opening of the play, and its repetition helped string scenes together into a whole narrative.

Clark used lighting to effectively introduce other characters, as well. Lightning-like patterns shone off-stage around the audience just before the elves appeared. Then, the Elven Queen (Rebecca Marlowe) and her guards (Libby Ruth and K. Lindsay Eaves) emerged on-stage into a field of scattered, misty-looking lights, resembling dappled sunlight through forest trees. Smaug poked his head out in a flood of red, while Gollum crept about in a dim haze of purple.

Jones as Baggins;
photo by Rob Merritt

Overall, Jones’ performance as Bilbo, Cooke’s rendition of Gollum, and the play’s intriguing visuals held my attention. I was thoroughly impressed by the apparent hard work and talent of the play’s younger cast members, and was reminded of the wonder I first experienced reading Tolkien’s novel.

The Hobbit runs through Nov 4 at the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts, with performances Friday and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets available online or through the CCPA box office. $22-27 ($17 students/seniors; $12 children).

The Hobbit Opens October 26

City Circle - "A world of magic will be revealed this Friday night when City Circle Acting Company travels to Middle Earth with Patricia Gray's 1968 adaptation of the beloved J.R.R Tolkien classic The Hobbit. The show follows the journey of Bilbo Baggins, the titular hobbit, and 'lucky number 14' in a band of dwarves setting out to recover their ancient treasure from the dragon Smaug. An adventure of the grandest sort, The Hobbit speaks to the child in all of us... and this production in particular reminds us that children have more wisdom and maturity than we know.

'This is Tolkien's classic tale, with a small twist,' says director James Trainor. 'Most of the performers are children aged 8-16. It's been fascinating to see this world from their perspective. It's a huge journey, and I think we've all learned a lot about storytelling on the way.' Trainor, a long-time youth theater educator throughout the Corridor, is a natural fit with this exuberant cast, guiding them through the script while cultivating their confidence, skill, and boundless enthusiasm.

The production design team for the show keeps the energy going as well. Many of them are working with City Circle for the first time, drawn in by Trainor due to their passion for Tolkien's work. For some, this is a dream come true. The excitement among both the cast and the crew is palpable. Other long-time fans of Tolkien's work will want to snag tickets now for the Saturday, October 27 performance, which will be followed by a talk-back with the director, selected cast members, and special guest, Tolkien scholar Dr. Jay Ruud, of the University of Central Arkansas.

The Hobbit runs Oct 26-28 and Nov 2-4, 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets can be purchased at coralvillearts.org or by calling 319.248.9370. Don't be a 'run-of-the-Shire hobbit' and stay at home; come join City Circle on this great adventure!"

City Circle Offers Talkback After The Hobbit

Coralville - Following the Saturday, October 27 performance of City Circle's production of The Hobbit, Dr. Jay Ruud, English Department Chair at the University of Central Arkansas and author of the recent Critical Companion to J.R.R. Tolkien, will be joined onstage by the show's director, James Trainor, and selected cast members to talk with audience members about the play, the story, and the impact of The Hobbit, as well as the life of its influential author.

Fans of Tolkien's work won't want to miss this wonderful opportunity! A reception for Dr. Ruud and invited guests will follow at Mendoza Wine Bar. Tickets for the performance are $22-27 ($17 students and seniors; $12 children 10 & under), and are available at www.coralvillearts.org.

There and Back Again...

Coralville - From City Circle:

"Those who are familiar with The Hobbit will know that verse is one of J.R.R. Tolkien's key methods of storytelling. His dwarves chant, his elves sing, even most of the history of Middle Earth is told at one point or another through meter and rhyme. Like the ancient Norse myths from which he drew inspiration, Tolkien was aware of something grand, something honorable, something important in the telling of a poem. With that in mind, City Circle's Education Committee is teaming up with local poetry 'zine Weird Cookies Poetry and a panel of "celebrity" judges to offer a poetry contest in conjunction with our production of The Hobbit. Kids in grades 4-6 and grades 7-8 are encouraged to submit their original work of great adventure! Poems should be no more than 2 pages in length and should touch on the theme of traveling, history, or folklore. Share your vision of "the Greatest Adventure!" Submissions are due by Oct 15, and can be emailed to hobbitpoetry@gmail.com. They must include the student's name, grade, and best contact info. The top three poets in each of the two grade ranges will be invited with a guest to the preview performance of the play. The winner in each category will be published in an upcoming issue of Weird Cookies Poetry. Students from throughout the Corridor are encouraged to submit their work. Join us in our (and Tolkien's) passion for verse!"

Auditions for The Hobbit

Coralville - Auditions for City Circle's production of The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkein (adapted for the stage by Patricia Gray) will take place at the Coralville Public Library on August 28 and 29. There will be parts for both children and adults; James E. Trainor III directs.

Roles

Bilbo Baggins The titular hobbit. A reluctant adventurer. (Male, age 12-18)
Thorin Oakenshield The king of the dwarves. A bold leader. (Male, age 18-22)
12 Dwarves Adventurers on a quest for wealth and fame (Male or Female, age 8-16)
Gandalf An ancient wizard who aids the wee folk in their quest. (Male, age 40+)
Gollum A hideous creature, corrupted by the Ring of Power. (Male or Female, age 8-16)
Smaug A dragon who guards treasure taken from Thorin's ancestors (Male or Female, age 18+)
Elven-Queen Queen of the Elves. Smaug also stole her people's treasure. (Female, age 18+)
Bert A troll (Male, age 18+)
Tom Another troll (Male, age 18+)
Essie Another troll (Female, age 18+)
[various Goblins, Hobbits, and Elves for smaller roles]

The Hobbit begins rehearsals September 4th; performances are Oct. 26 - 28 and Nov. 2 - 4. Auditions are in the E. Jean Schwab Auditorium at the Coralville Public Library, 5:30 - 7:30 August 28 & 29.