REVIEW: Classic “Cheaper by the Dozen” Given Priceless Production at Playcrafters
I’m sure it was purely coincidental, but it was illuminating to see two Moline theatrical productions about a strict father with a big brood of kids within about a month of each other.
As soon as Joe Urbaitis (who played another proud, frustrated Papa in 2024’s “Fiddler on the Roof” at Music Guild) blew his whistle to gather nine kids in the new Playcrafters’ “Cheaper by the Dozen,” and they lined up tallest to shortest, I immediately recalled a similar scene in “The Sound of Music” (given a pitch-perfect production last month at Prospect Park), where Captain von Trapp rounds up his seven children tallest to shortest.
Given the chaotic nature of having so many kids at home at once, both “Sound of Music” (which debuted in 1959) and “Cheaper by the Dozen” (its first film version in 1950) feature incredibly well-behaved rugrats, even though the oldest daughter here gives her 1920s-era dad fits.
Joe Urbaitis plays patriarch Frank Gilbreth, seen with four of his 12 children.
“Cheaper” – in an affectionate adaptation by Christopher Sergel, which debuted on stage in 1992 – is based on the semi-autobiographical novel written by Frank Bunker Gilbreth Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey, published in 1948. The novel recounts the authors’ childhood lives growing up in a household of 12 children, even though we only see nine kids, and Frank and Ernestine narrate the memory play (from their viewpoint, I assume following the father’s death), offering fond reminiscences and then the flashbacks that comprise most of the action. The bestselling book was later adapted into a feature film in 1950.
Urbaitis comfortably plays a demanding but loving parent (often jovial and laughing), one of the great pioneers of industrial efficiency, who is planning to go to London to speak about his motion studies at a conference. Appropriately, “Cheaper by the Dozen” reveals itself to be quite moving, capably directed by veteran actress Emma Terronez (who was an affecting Anne Frank earlier this year on the Playcrafters stage).
The set was designed by Elle Winchester, and show director is Emma Terronez.
Though this isn’t exactly a holiday play, Terronez’s director’s note explains how holidays are natural gathering times for families and memories. She wrote how at Christmas time, she often thinks of her grandfather Steven (who passed away in 2021), and that he grew up in a Silvis repurposed boxcar with his parents and 13 siblings. She dedicates this touching show to him, which not only features dedicated, relatable performances but is visually impressive.
I am constantly in awe of how the Playcrafters stage is transformed for each show, and this new one is no exception. The Gilbreth home setting – designed by Elle Winchester — is tremendously tasteful, handsome, and detailed; the main door at right is especially cool, which looks like it has frosted glass.
Chloe Hansen plays the oldest daughter, Anne.
Whitney Brown as Ernestine and Levi Bacon as Frank, Jr. are the main narrators, and of the younger roles, it seems like the girls are uniformly stronger than the guys, particularly in the power of their projection (or lack thereof).
For example, in the show’s second scene (in a pretty brief, 39-minute first act), Whitney smartly increases her volume while she has her back to the audience, continuing to speak as she walks upstage. Nathan Hartfelt does make a strong impression as Anne’s potential cheerleader boyfriend Joe, but Lennon Roberts could use a jolt in his role as another date interest for Anne, since he tends to be a hard-to-hear monotone.
The mom in “Cheaper By the Dozen” (second from right) is Emmalee Hillburn, with daughters (L-R) Martha (Cami Beyer), Ernestine (Whitney Brown) and Anne (Chloe Hansen).
Chloe Hansen is a clear star of this show as the oldest child, the frustrated “rebel” Anne, who dares to want to wear silk stockings, makeup and perfume, and go out with boys. Chloe nails the absolute annoyance and disappointment at her social shackles, and her understandable yearning to be free, be noticed and appreciated by the opposite sex.
Levi Bacon as Frank Jr., and Whitney Brown as Ernestine narrate the memory play, “Cheaper by the Dozen,” running through Dec. 21 at Playcrafters.
Whitney Brown and Cami Beyer are also excellent as her sisters, and share in both her joys and her challenges.
The always solid Emmalee Hillburn is a great mom here, initially supporting Frank in wanting to protect Anne, but understanding her situation. It’s very fitting that one of her own kids, Azalea Hillburn, plays Jackie here, and Caleb Beyer (a first grader making his Playcrafters debut) is awfully cute, and in his program bio says that it’s “pretty awesome that he gets to be in the show alongside his big sister, Cami.”
Chloe Hansen, left and Emmalee Hillburn in “Cheaper by the Dozen” at PLaycrafters Barn Theatre, Moline.
In small supporting roles, Ashley Hoskins and Jonna Hicks-Bird are both spot on as the crabby housekeeper Mrs. Fitzgerald, and humorless teacher Miss Brill, respectively.
True to the father’s penchant for organization and efficiency, this is a very well-ordered, effective production, even given a small blip on opening night last Friday (when the second act inexplicably did not begin until several minutes after stage lights came up). It makes sense that father Frank has a heart condition since, in Urbaitis’s sympathetic, sharing hands, the role shows a giving, open heart.
“Cheaper by the Dozen” will continue at 4950 35th Ave., Moline, this weekend – at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday (Dec. 19-20), and 3 p.m. Sunday (Dec. 21). Tickets are $12-$18.
Joe Urbaitis as father Frank Gilbreth, speaking to oldest daughter Anne, played by Chloe Hansen.
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