Would you live forever?

By: 
Ann Gill
Editor

    When faced with the decision to live or live forever, would you choose immortality?    
    Coal City High School junior Gabby Cinotto would prefer to live a full life over  one that lasts forever,  a concept she’s come to think about recently as she’s faced with such a decision in her role as Winnie Foster in the school’s upcoming production of “Tuck Everlasting.”
    Based on the best-selling children’s novel by Natalie Bobbitt, the musical version of “Tuck Everlasting” tells the story of the adventure seeking 11-year-old who comes to learn the never-ending tale of the Tucks when she comes upon the fun loving, free spirit that is Jesse Tuck.
    This show’s Jesse will be played by senior Gavyn Williams, whose favorite scene is when his new friend, Winnie, meets the family and learns how a sip of water from her family’s spring gave them eternal life.
    Playing Jesse is the role he sought when auditioning for the show. It’s the character’s free spirit and childlike ways that he finds exciting, and for the same reasons Cinotto said if there was any other character she would like to play it would be none other than Jesse Tuck.
    “It’s just a fun character,” she said.
    Williams adds his character also has some serious moments in the show where he’s faced with the knowledge that someone in the town of Treegap knows his family’s story, someone who could take away all his family has kept secret for more than 80 years.
    Cinotto and Williams are no strangers to the stage, as both have appeared in past school productions and both assumed leading roles in last spring’s presentation of  “Les Miserables.”    Acting is something Cinotto enjoys, so it was a given she would seek to be a part of this year’s production. She’s enjoying the process of developing the character of Winnie.
    According to Williams, he’s a little bit like Jesse Tuck in that he has his goof-ball moments in life and as youngster he did some of the same things audiences will see his character play out on stage, from climbing trees to convincing his parents to let him do things he probably shouldn’t be doing.
    Heading into the production, neither student was all that familiar with the story. As the show begins to take shape, they are developing a love for the tale, its music and its moments that will find audiences laughing, crying and pondering everlasting life.
    “As a theatre program we strive to bring people into a space where they can feel real emotions and I feel they will leave happy knowing Winnie lived a good life,” Williams said.
    “Tuck Everlasting” will take the stage for two weekends  with shows at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 7, Friday, March 8, Saturday, March 9, Friday, March 15 and Saturday, March 16, along with Sunday, March 10 and Sunday, March 17 at 2 p.m. in the Coal City Performing Arts Center at Coal City High School.