‘Canterbury Tales’ opens at Growing Stage

“The Canterbury Tales” by Geoffrey Chaucer is often a requirement in high school literature classes, and, consequently, many students refer to it in less-than-glowing terms. (“Difficult” is one of the more polite ways to characterize the work.)

Nonetheless, Justin Watt of Mansfield, a sophomore at Warren Hills High School, offers a different assessment: “This is a fun story,” he says.

Justin’s view may be colored by the fact that he does not have to slog through Chaucer’s Middle English prose. He is acting in a version of “The Canterbury Tales” that opens this weekend at The Growing Stage - The Children’s Theatre of New Jersey.

This adaptation by playwright Lindsay Price emphasizes the humor in Chaucer’s story of pilgrims traveling to the shrine of St. Thomas Becket in Canterbury. To pass the time, they engage in a storytelling contest; the prize is a free meal on their return.

Justin is one of 16 performers (ages 12 to 18) who are staging “The Canterbury Tales” under the direction of Lori B. Lawrence of Hackettstown.

The production, which runs through Feb. 8, is part of the Studio Presentation Series at The Growing Stage.

Justin says that the structure of the play allows every actor to have a moment in the spotlight. “Some of us tell a story and some of us act the story out,” he says. “If we’re not in a story, we’re watching a story. It’s a cool show.”

Encouraging that enthusiasm is one of the purposes of the Studio Production Series, says Lawrence, director of educational programming at The Growing Stage.

One of the hallmarks of the Netcong-based company is the fact that it allows young performers to work and learn alongside professional Equity actors, Lawrence says.

“Sometimes, middle school and high school kids sometimes get intimidated,” she says. “We wanted to give them a way so they’re not afraid to act bigger.”

To that end, the theater began staging all-youth productions in 2009. “It’s a natural progression for the kids who take theater classes with us,” Lawrence says. “This way, they get to perform in roles that they wouldn’t get to do on our main stage.”

Justin Watt has been acting at The Growing Stage for about six years, and he says he appreciates the opportunities he has been given there.

“I think I’m going to pursue (theater) as a career,” he says. “The Growing Stage has opened my eyes to what it’s like to be in the theater.”

In addition, Justin now finds himself in a position where he can assist even younger performers. “Sometimes it’s better not to help them, to let them figure out what to do,” he says. “But sometimes they need guidance.”

Lawrence says she chose “The Canterbury Tales” partly because it is a work that students may eventually confront. “It’s a pretty dense book, so this is a way to introduce kids to something that may have to read,” she says.

At the same time, this adaptation requires a stylized approach to acting. “It’s almost like commedia or music-hall style performing,” Lawrence says. “It’s a challenge.”

Though “The Canterbury Tales” is being staged by young people, Lawrence says it may not be for the youngest audiences. “It gets a little bawdy,” she says. “These pilgrims are going to be forgiven for vices like greed and gluttony and vanity.”

For that reason, she chose not to cast any actor younger than age 12. “We sometimes go as young as 10 years old with the Studio Performance Series, but we didn’t think that was right for this one,” she says.

Lawrence hopes that this version of “The Canterbury Tales” will make Chaucer accessible to her audiences as well as to her actors. “I hope people will realize how much fun it is,” she says. “It’s silly and bawdy and entertaining.”

“THE CANTERBURY TALES”

WHAT: In this comic adaptation of Chaucer’s classic story, a group of English pilgrims on their way to the shrine at Canterbury amuse each other with a storytelling contest. The play, part of the theater’s Studio Production Series, has a cast of 16 performers between ages 12 and 18.

WHEN: Through Feb. 8, 7:30 p.m. Fridays, 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays

WHERE: The Growing Stage – The Children’s Theatre of New Jersey, Route 183, 7 Ledgewood Ave., Netcong

TICKETS: $12, discounts for groups.

INFORMATION: 973-347-4946 and www.growingstage.com