'Foundling' a touching tale

COLUMBIA -- Sierra Repertory Theatre honors the foothills' Gold Rush history with its sentimental drama "The Christmas Foundling."

Back by popular demand at the Fallon House at Columbia State Historic Park, Norman Allen's play follows a series of Christmases celebrated by gold miners between 1850 and 1862.

Based on the stories of Bret Harte, it's about the importance of family and friends, the charms of the country vs. the city, and the joys of raising a child.

Director Julie Ludlum, a favorite musical-theater actress for Sierra Rep, makes sure the production is sprinkled with scenes that will tug at your heartstrings and bring tears to your eyes.

The show begins on a wintery Christmas Eve during a party for a bunch of bachelor gold miners. A strange woman knocks on their door, gives birth to a baby and immediately dies.

Two of the miners raise the boy until age 10, when a woman from Boston suddenly appears, claiming to be the child's aunt. The rest of the play centers on whether young Tom will stay in the Sierra or go back East.

Ty Smith is upbeat and kindly as Old Jake, one of the miners who raises the boy and the narrator for the show. He loves singing and leads his friends in many Christmas carols throughout the show.

As Hoke, Jake's roommate and the main father figure for the orphaned Tom, Gary Holman is cold at first but gradually warms up as he embraces his new parenthood. Sullivan Noble, a seventh-grader at Connections Academy, is easy to love with his cute looks and perky personality.

Lauren Barnett is proper and sophisticated as Aunt Sarah. Concerned at first about the lack of culture in the Sierra foothills, she grows to appreciate the natural beauty of the area. Sarah and Hoke have lively debates over the merits of their respective hometowns.

Douglas G. Brennan, Greg Parker and Rob Smittle offer comic relief as the miners Moscow, Boston and Georgia, but they sometimes overdo the silliness. Their accents and mannerisms are exaggerated to the point where they seem like cartoon characters more than real people.

The script also has some odd moments. For example, we learn that the miners have saved up money for Tom's college education but yet at age 10, the boy has never been to school or learned to read. But these flaws aren't serious and are overshadowed by the production's strong points.

Dennis Jones' set is stunning with a starlit sky, log cabin and pine trees. Deb Albrecht's attractive costumes include a full hoop skirt and bonnet for Sarah, and boots and weather-beaten work clothes for the men.

There's nothing objectionable in the show that would prevent any family member from enjoying it. This production will provide light entertainment for children through grandparents.

Bee arts writer Lisa Millegan can be reached at 578-2313 or lmillegan@modbee.com.