NOLA Project makes comical landfall in ‘Treasure Island’

By ALAN SMASON, WYES-TV Theatre Critic (“Steppin’ Out“)

When Robert Louis Stevenson penned his classic tale of buccaneers and buried booty, “Treasure Island,” he could not have had a clue that 141 years later he would inspire a raucous comedy by the peerless crew of The NOLA Project, the award-winning troupe of actors who have made New Orleans their home since 2005.

Stevenson could hardly have predicted how his originally-serialized storyline regarding youngster Jim Hawkins and peg-legged Long John Silver, a ship’s cook and treacherous pirate in disguise, could have been keelhauled by the likes of co-artistic director A. J. Allegra, James Bartelle and Alex Martinez Wallace. This trio of talented writers have turned the classic tale on its head. (And we all know what the “head” is onboard a ship.)

To be sure, this is a Treasure Island that will delight the kids and tickle the fancy of adults gathered in the Sidney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden, where the action plays out nightly. The Sculpture Garden has been the favorite performance space for The NOLA Project for much of the past decade, that is,  until COVID sidelined the troupe of players for the past two seasons.

The cast is evenly split between male and female roles with several roles played by familiar actors, who have impressed in previous NOLA Project works. Newcomer Liam Gillen plays Jim Hawkins with Monica R. Harris as his mother Ruth, the proprietress of the Admiral Benbow Inn. Both of them have accidentally come into possession of a treasure map left behind by No-Good Nathan (Wayland D. Cooper) that promises them untold riches.

The kid-friendly laughs come fast and furious like billowing waves in a tempest. Perennial award winner Keith Claverie plays two roles this time out as both Slender Brad and Stede Bonnett. When at the beginning of the work, the motley crew announces there will be “salty language,” it is Claverie’s character who rushes forth to assure parents and other audience members: “There will be no salty language.” Shortly after that, another cast member pronounces there will be one scene with “sensuality” and the others revel. Claverie steps forth again to reiterate: “There will be no sensuality.”

The first act is dominated by the male cast members including Reid Williams as Long John Silver. But the comedy is also to be found on the distaff side of the cast ledger. Wendy Miklovic, as the pirate leader Margaret Pew, leads her crew of sea-hardened female pirates, who dominate the action in the second act.

Noted cast members include Elyse McDaniel as Gentle Mary, Hayden Guthrie as Oxana Piranha, Ayla Miller as Stabbin’ Judy and Christina “Cuba” Hatheway as Mercy McFoul. The male complement includes Bill Mader as Fat Phillip and Hamhock Hannigan, Khiry Armstead as Captain Smollett and Peter Jaymes, Jr. as Elephant Small. Cooper also plays Rider Onasis.

The delightful script takes several liberties from the original plot found in the Stevenson story, but some of the earlier elements remain true. The introduction of the female crew is a welcome departure to the tale and adds some 21st century sensibilities to the solidly male drama Stevenson originally envisioned.

The script is a literal romp as characters search for the treasure map left behind by No-Good-Nathan at the Admiral Benbow Inn. The action is non-stop with original music by Jack Craft and witty sea shanties especially written for this City Park setting. The technical staff includes Wallace as fight director and Kali Russell as movement director. Costumes are by Kaci Thomassie and Baylee Robertson. Joan Long takes care of the lighting designs, while Amara Skinner in in charge of sound.

Directed by Allegra with Sarah Chatelain as his assistant director, the production, managed by Jenny Biliot, features elements of a pirate ship against the backdrop of the sculpture garden’s gentle bayou. The scenic design is by Ken Thompson with Stephanie Dixon providing props.

The outdoor venue is maintained by the New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA), which partners with The NOLA Project on these special productions. The amphitheater affords excellent unobstructed views that look down towards the stage area. Reserved premier seats and Back Stage Pass Members are arranged in advance of their arrival. Regular attendees can bring their own blankets closer to the stage area or can set up individual chairs behind the blankets or next to the V.I.P seats.

Treasure Island (2 hours, 5 minutes with a 15 minute intermission) is presented by The NOLA Project in partnership with NOMA. Outdoor performances continue in the Sidney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden amphitheater now through May 27 with performances nightly at 7:30 p.m. Premier reserved seats are $55, while general admission adults are $35. NOMA members are $25 with youth seats at $20 each. To purchase tickets, click here. Refreshments are available separately in the NOMA Café and by various food trucks prior to evening performances and at intermission.