Book-It Theatre Exceeds Expectations with Dickens Classic

Lee Osorio as Pip and Mike Dooly as Joe in Book-It Repertory Theatre’s “Great Expectations” (Photo: Alan Alabastro)

A new adaptation of Charles Dickens’ epic story Great Expectations (tickets available now through March 13 at the Center House Theatre) is the third play in Book-It’s Repertory Theatre’s 21st season.

This is a sharp, well-paced, and well-acted production that stays true to heart of Dickens’ classic and to Book-It’s lean, literary aesthetic.

If it’s been a while since 8th Grade English, I’ll remind you that we are introduced to our young, orphaned protagonist Pip as a child when he visits the graves of his parents and brother.

There he encounters the escaped convict Magwitch, who coerces Pip into stealing food and a file to remove his shackles. Later, when Magwitch is caught by police in the presence of Pip, the convict selflessly and surprisingly takes the blame for the theft–saving Pip from punishment.

It is here you first see a small unexpected act of redemption that is echoed throughout the rest of the story, which spans some three decades of Pip’s life.

As Pip, Lee Osorio immediately draws you in with his earnest, skillful performance. You care for this character from the outset. Impressive is Osorio’s ability to gradually age his character as the play progresses–taking him from seven to a “gentleman” in his thirties–while keeping the essence of Pip intact along the journey. I want to see more of him on Seattle stages.

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Equally strong is Mike Dooly as the blacksmith Joe, Pip’s brother-in-law and surrogate father. Last seen as Horatio in Seattle Shakes’ outstanding Hamlet, Dooly is a charismatic presence on stage. You really just want to have a beer with the guy. His scenes with Osorio are some of the most touching in play; you clearly see the love these two characters have for each other. When Pip-the-gentleman is clearly embarrassed by a visit in London by the common Joe, that deep affection makes it all the more poignant. You see both Pip’s embarrassment and his self-disgust for being embarrassed by Joe’s falling short of the new standards of Pip’s new station in society.

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Most other members of the excellent ensemble cast play dual roles, including Founding Co-Artistic Director Jane Jones, who is both the hardened Mrs. Joe and the tragically unwed Miss Havisham. Michael Patten appropriately brings both humanity to the convict Magwitch and lack of it to the lawyer Jaggers. Local writer Lucinda Stroud’s adaption, written for Book-It, streamlines the story and at times leaves you breathless–in a good way.

The play’s director, Kevin McKeon calls Great Expectations a great love story, a ghost story, a horror story. He says we can relate to these people because we are those people. Maybe that’s why Oprah chose Great Expectations–150 years after it was first published–for her book club in December. Our desire for redemption–especially for ourselves–is just as strong today as it was when Dickens wrote it.