CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The banjo in the overture lets you know you have been transported from the Civic Center Little Theater to Missouri, near St. Petersburg, and back to a time when fishing was the national pastime. "Things are simple," says title character Tom Sawyer. Credit is when "you say you going to pay someone later, and you hope they forget."   

Tom, played by Jon Kishpaugh, has a boyish voice with a remarkable range. He comes across as a natural leader to the dozen boys who are his classmates ... that is, when he attends school. Tom isn't quite content with life in his cozy surroundings with Aunt Polly (Miriam Gillispie) and his annoying brother Sid (played very convincingly by Shephard Sims).

Tom Sawyer's leadership skills are so smooth that he uses reverse psychology to his advantage, convincing his peers to give over their favorite marbles and best sticks for the opportunity to prove that whitewashing a fence ain't "work."   (Pardon the use of that four-letter word; this is a family review.)

Kishpaugh's performance alone is worth the price of the ticket. But wait, there's more! Huck Finn, played by Cody Burdette, grows into his character during the two-and-a-half-hour show.  In Act 1, his solo, "It Just Ain't Me," captures his spirit of independence; learning to read in Act 2 gives Huck the confidence he needs to navigate the dark cave to look for his lost friends.

Becky Thatcher (played by Lily Odekirk) rounds out the curious three musketeers who grow up during the action of Act 1. She and Tom declare their love in a stirring musical selection, "To Hear You Say My Name."  

In a cast of half children and half adults, the children almost own the show with their solid singing and stage presence. In the company number "Ain't Life Fine," the children will more than likely steal your heart as they celebrate the beginning of summer with their fishing poles, leap frog and hopscotch.  

The strongest adult characters were Muff Potter (played by Michael Harris) and Injun Joe (played by Will Taylor). Muff was just right - not too drunk, not too smart - and clearly audible in every line despite speech slurred by liquor.  Injun Joe, a late addition to the cast, was clearly looking out for No. 1, and had control of the situation whenever he was on stage. Well, almost.

Aunt Polly and Judge Thatcher (played by Brad Sims) share a convincing duet about the perils of "Raising a Child" as single parents. Their fears are only confounded when their children come up missing toward the end.

I attended a school show on Thursday morning, so I wasn't treated to the full complement of the pit, but the balance of keyboard, drums, guitar and banjo was delightful. The musical addition of fiddle and bass will punctuate the simplicity of a time and place where even the Bible is described as the "gosh-darn greatest story ever told"  (especially the parts about David, Goliath, Moses and Robin Hood...).  

Go see this Kanawha Players' production April 10 or 11 at 8 p.m. at the Civic Center Little Theater in Charleston. Tickets are $16 for adults, $10 for children 18 and under.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The banjo in the overture lets you know you have been transported from the Civic Center Little Theater to Missouri, near St. Petersburg, and back to a time when fishing was the national pastime. "Things are simple," says title character Tom Sawyer. Credit is when "you say you going to pay someone later, and you hope they forget."   

Tom, played by Jon Kishpaugh, has a boyish voice with a remarkable range. He comes across as a natural leader to the dozen boys who are his classmates ... that is, when he attends school. Tom isn't quite content with life in his cozy surroundings with Aunt Polly (Miriam Gillispie) and his annoying brother Sid (played very convincingly by Shephard Sims).

Tom Sawyer's leadership skills are so smooth that he uses reverse psychology to his advantage, convincing his peers to give over their favorite marbles and best sticks for the opportunity to prove that whitewashing a fence ain't "work."   (Pardon the use of that four-letter word; this is a family review.)

Kishpaugh's performance alone is worth the price of the ticket. But wait, there's more! Huck Finn, played by Cody Burdette, grows into his character during the two-and-a-half-hour show.  In Act 1, his solo, "It Just Ain't Me," captures his spirit of independence; learning to read in Act 2 gives Huck the confidence he needs to navigate the dark cave to look for his lost friends.

Becky Thatcher (played by Lily Odekirk) rounds out the curious three musketeers who grow up during the action of Act 1. She and Tom declare their love in a stirring musical selection, "To Hear You Say My Name."  

In a cast of half children and half adults, the children almost own the show with their solid singing and stage presence. In the company number "Ain't Life Fine," the children will more than likely steal your heart as they celebrate the beginning of summer with their fishing poles, leap frog and hopscotch.  

The strongest adult characters were Muff Potter (played by Michael Harris) and Injun Joe (played by Will Taylor). Muff was just right - not too drunk, not too smart - and clearly audible in every line despite speech slurred by liquor.  Injun Joe, a late addition to the cast, was clearly looking out for No. 1, and had control of the situation whenever he was on stage. Well, almost.

Aunt Polly and Judge Thatcher (played by Brad Sims) share a convincing duet about the perils of "Raising a Child" as single parents. Their fears are only confounded when their children come up missing toward the end.

I attended a school show on Thursday morning, so I wasn't treated to the full complement of the pit, but the balance of keyboard, drums, guitar and banjo was delightful. The musical addition of fiddle and bass will punctuate the simplicity of a time and place where even the Bible is described as the "gosh-darn greatest story ever told"  (especially the parts about David, Goliath, Moses and Robin Hood...).  

Go see this Kanawha Players' production April 10 or 11 at 8 p.m. at the Civic Center Little Theater in Charleston. Tickets are $16 for adults, $10 for children 18 and under.