THE BOY WHO KNEW NO FEAR
But in making the story agreeable to children, the authors and director have compromised its dark and somewhat disturbing thrust. They’ve sanitized it Disney-style, exploiting the plot while neglecting the deeper meaning.
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In the Grimm tale, The Boy Who Left Home to Find Out About the Shivers, a father has two sons. The older boy is bright and capable but plagued by fears. The younger is too stupid to be afraid of anything. When asked by the father what he wants to do in life, the younger son says he just wants to find out what it’s like to “get the shivers.” The fact that the boy cannot experience fear angers the father, who knows that fear is the primary tool used by parents to socialize their children. He throws the boy out, shouting, “With you I’ll never have anything but trouble.”
All this provides for some lively stage action, enhanced by the eight songs Levenson has composed. And the cast members make good use of the script’s potential. As Rodney, Darren Bochat retains a deadpan expression as he dispatches one character after another. Karen Coover is a charming Princess Karina, and Jill Anderson’s wonderful hamming makes Grimmeldine, the evil witch, memorable to children and adults alike.
