Exhibitionism

Yankee Doodle:

Happy Discovery

Running Time: 1 hr, 30 min

Second Youth Family Theatre has accomplished an effective feel-good show all about the good ol’ U.S. of A. And it has done so simply and joyfully, without resorting to the bellicose ranting or cloying sentimentality that feature in much of our day-to-day lives and which has permeated too much of our art. Instead, utilizing music, song, dance, spritely narration, and a few props, the company relates in snippets and snatches an enjoyable overview of Americans past.

Yankee Doodle is an ensemble piece full of verve and a punster’s quick wit, with moments that are deeply thoughtful alternating with plenty of songs to present a pastiche history of our land, from the ride of Paul Revere through Charles Lindbergh’s famous flight. In 25 short scenes, the ensemble brings into focus a panoply of individuals — Yankee Doodles — to tell the story of the birth and growth of America; the cast of characters is a veritable Who’s Who of folk you don’t usually hear about when discussing the “great” Americans. Molly Pitcher, Thomas Fulton, Johnny Appleseed, Sacajawea: Do you remember these names from your elementary school days? A dozen actors sing and dance and act their way through the Revolutionary War and the Louisiana Purchase; they portray practically all the frontiers-folk that blazed trails West; they offer us World’s Fairs and illuminate all manner of inventive achievement, from the discovery of electricity to the discovery of the ice cream cone. And they do it with an air of happy discovery throughout.

My 6-year-old companion, daughter Ari, called it the “bestest play” she’d ever seen, and seeing her sitting absolutely still for the entire event is testament to the ensemble’s ability to engage all audience members right from the start, as well as director Brian Gaston’s excellent understanding of what to put into each bit to keep the energy flowing. Ari’s favorites: the ensemble movement-cum-narrative of the life of Johnny Appleseed and Lewis and Clark’s Native American guide, Sacajawea: “I liked her feather and her voice,” opined the young critic. Adults were clearly enjoying themselves, too. And everyone was moved by the multipart harmony rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner,” once again delivered with great feeling, yet ever so simple and unencumbered.

Besides the national anthem, though, it is mostly difficult at the Dougherty to hear the lyrics when more than three or four people are singing, such are the acoustics. And while adults may enjoy the show as much as the younger set, the whole endeavor would fit best into any elementary school auditorium where it would find its perfect audience: eager young Americans keen to find out just who their predecessors were and all the cool things they did.

This article appears in March 22 • 2002.