Review: River City Players meet 'Red Chief' challenge head-on

The River City Players must love a challenge. For the group's summer production, organizers chose "The Ransom of Red Chief," a play that calls for several child actors.

The plot is simple: Two vagabonds wander into a town with a plan to kidnap a wealthy woman's nephew to get some quick cash. The wealthy woman is a firecracker who demands the men pay her to accept the nuisance of a nephew (who has nicknamed himself Red Chief).

Tanner Smith plays Red Chief. The 8-year-old freckle-faced boy delivers his lines with a perfect balance of mischief and innocence.

Smith, who attends Alma Schrader Elementary School, jumps around the set like a monkey, making it hard for his abductors to chase him down.

Though this is Smith's first play, he claims it's been easy, an attitude reflected in his performance.

"It's like this," he said during intermission. "If you think it's hard, it'll be hard. If you think it's easy, it'll be easier."

He drags his feet when in trouble and swings his arms around innocently when he's trying to get his way, little things that most likely can be credited to director Tana Howard.

Howard, with the help of a few parents, has coached natural performances out of the children onstage where some would overact in a role that only requires them to play themselves.

While Rich Behring, who plays Constable Jones, does not have a large part in the play, he has the exact attitude for the part he does have. Constable Jones is the stereotypical small-town law enforcement agent who never really deals with crime, but always tries to look like he would with a swift hand.

Behring's booming voice and country swagger make the audience smile from a feeling of familiarity with the figure of a grumpy grandpa watching over his brood in a small town. He's lovable and endearing, if not intimidating.

Tim Roth created another masterful set for the show. Much of the production involves Red Chief's fantasy adventures of riding his Palomino and entertaining his braves. The block-shaped trees and cave reflect the fragmented pseudoreality of dreams and imaginative play.

The cast and crew have endured injuries and sicknesses but have somehow pulled off an entertaining production full of colorful, talented characters.

"The Ransom of Red Chief" continues with a show-only performance at 7 p.m. today for $12, a dinner theater performance with dinner at 6 p.m. and show at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday for $30, and a dessert buffet performance with doors opening at 1 p.m. Sunday for $15. Call 334-0954 for reservations.

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