Avast! A Real ‘treasure’ To Dig At Berkeley Rep

The motley crew that set sail at Berkeley Repertory Theatre’s Peet’s Theatre on Friday, April 29 is a familiar one seeking buried treasure. Zimmerman’s history of telling robust stories and creating magnificent stage images at Berkeley Rep dates back to “Journey to the West” in 1996, and “Treasure Island,” though more focused on plot and character than on stage spectacle, still manages a great deal of beauty and wallop amid its focused storytelling. A co-production with Chicago’s Lookingglass Theatre Company, this “Treasure Island” does have something new to offer, which is a good thing seeing as how there have been endless stage and screen adaptations over the years (even the Muppets have pillaged “Treasure Island”). The musicians play, the crew sings, and the look on Jim’s face captures the excitement of anyone whoever loved this book and dreamed about making such an impossible voyage. There’s a keen sense of adventure here, and that comes largely from Zimmerman’s robust staging - the fights are truly exciting - and the ardent performances from her cast (13 men and one women, so much for parity this time around). Babbo makes Jim’s transition from cowering, fatherless youth to resolute and courageous young man believable and moving. While he’s an inspired clown and physical actor, his Silver is more humorous than menacing, which throws things off slightly, but he’s a joy to watch no matter what he does. [...] “Treasure Island” is pure fun, a potent coming-of-age story and a rollicking swashbuckler.