Nature versus Nurture: which category do you favor? I would venture that all of us know of at least one family that has a child that simply doesn’t seem to fit. Sometimes a saint is born into a disreputable family or, more unnerving and against all logic, a little devil appears in an idyllic family. Such is the case in Playcrafters Barn Theatre’s current production of The Bad Seed directed by Patti Flaherty and adapted for the stage by Maxwell Anderson from William March’s 1955 novel of the same name.
The plot revolves around Rhoda Penmark who appears to be a perfect little girl. She charms all the adults around her, but lurking beneath that angelic façade is the heart of a sociopath. She will stop at nothing to get what she wants. When classmate Walter Daigle wins a penmanship medal that Rhoda thinks she deserves, Walter goes missing at a school picnic and his lifeless body is later fished out of a nearby pond. When Rhoda’s mother, Christine, comes across the medal among Rhoda’s things, the pieces of a horrifying puzzle, dating back to her own childhood, begin to fall into place, cause her to question that conundrum of nature vs. nurture, and she is faced with making an unthinkable decision. No spoiler alerts – you need to experience the repulsion for yourself.
Taking on the role of the diabolical little demon is nine-year old Betsy Bergthold who, at such a tender age, has already accumulated an impressive professional résumé including appearing in an ESPN/State Farm commercial as the young Caitlin Clark. She is equally absolutely adorable and absolutely evil as she leaves a trail of destruction everywhere she goes.
In the role of the mother whose mounting terror at what she perceives to be present in her beloved daughter is Stephanie Moeller. She takes on this angst-ridden role and delivers a nuanced and well-balanced portrayal.
Strong performances are also brought in by Julia Sears and Don Faust as the totally clueless upstairs neighbors, by Storm Marie Baca and Jacob Lund as the grieving parents of Rhoda’s victim, and Scott Tunnicliff as Christine’s father. However, once again, with the exception of Faust and Tunnicliff I caution the cast about their volume especially when facing upstage; Betsy is exonerated because of her youth.
Congrats also to Jacque and Craig Cohoon for the superbly well designed and dressed set and to Bailey Hager for period correct costumes.
It may not be Halloween but you will feel a chill in the air.
The Bad Seed continues at Playcrafters Barn Theatre, 4950 – 35 th Avenue in Moline, Friday and Saturday, June 21 and 22 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, June 23 at 3:00 p.m.
I’m Chris Hicks…break a leg.