Truth Like the Sun at the Book-It Theater

It was poetry seeing the theatrical adaptation of “Truth Like the Sun,” Jim Lynch’s novel about Seattle set during the 1962 World’s Fair highlighting the creation of the Space Needle, performed by Book-It Repertory Theater at the Seattle Center.

Photo courtesy of Book-It Repertory Theatre

The Book-It Theater is one of our favorites. They adapt novels (both current works of fiction and more historical literature) into plays.

Earlier this season, we saw Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein; or the Modern Prometheus.” That was a forceful and riveting production which was very true to the book. Next month, we are excited to see “The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay” by Michael Chabon. Chad and I both loved that book and are eager to see how Book-It transforms it into a play. I was particularly looking forward to “Truth Like the Sun,” as I had just read that novel for my book group.

“Truth Like the Sun” explores the Seattle of 1962, when it aspired to be bigger and bolder than perhaps this PacWest city was ready to be and then reflects back on this period in 2001, as a prestigious city transformed by Microsoft and Amazon, uncovering some of the city’s darker past.

Photo courtesy of Book-It Repertory Theatre

Actors Chris Ensweiler and Jennifer Lee Taylor were superb as the charismatic Roger Morgan (“Mr. Seattle”) and Helen Gulanos, the eager reporter hoping to expose the skeletons in Roger’s closest. The rest of the cast were equally adept at changing time periods and alternating characters. The transitions between the two time periods were cleverly handled, with the main characters performing mock strip teases to hip 60s tunes while changing into costumes to suit the times. The costumes marvelously depicted the days of Camelot and Jackie Kennedy as well as the more modern, but conservative attire of the early 2000s.The set was simple but effective, with large video screens projecting photos of the appropriate eras and relevant Seattle scenes such as the Fremont Troll and Starbucks.

It was even more profound leaving the theater after the show, looking up at the darkening blue sky and seeing the Space Needle illuminated in the night, towering directly above us.