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The Body Snatchers
Jack Finney created a modern myth with his 1955 novel The Body Snatchers. Its vision of friends and neighbors silently replaced by emotionless replicas rang true to readers and, later, moviegoers, whether they saw it as a metaphor for Communist infiltration, a protest against suburban ennui or just a cool adventure story. In his fluent new stage version, Northwestern faculty member Edwards (author of more than 40 literary adaptations) wisely preserves the book’s paranoid buzz and pulpy momentum, sparingly adding decorative touches of self-aware camp.
The first act proves the strongest, as stalwart Marin County doctor Miles (Pastor) slowly pieces together the disturbing truth: Pod people have arrived from outer space! But Edwards’s conclusion proves a bit too knowing. He self-consciously alludes to the classic 1956 film adaptation before staging the novel’s original close, with an unnecessary twist.
A prolonged chase sequence in the second act suffers from the bare-bones City Lit staging, as Miles and game new girlfriend Becky (Willis) endlessly circle about the Edgewater space. Edwards supplements the perfunctory design with two video screens, displaying location details along with atmospheric clips from the ’50s. These work nicely, providing visual interest without overwhelming the stage action. Pastor turns in a fine effort: His earnest, solemn narration wouldn’t be out of place in a classic film noir. And Edwards’s trick of signaling pod people with sunglasses is a simple but elegant conceit, especially when botanist Budlong (June Eubanks) calls attention to it in a neat second-act move. The Body Snatchers is a savvy take on its still-thrilling source.
