Rachel’s highlight reel of 'The Hobbit' by Olympia Family Theater

Rachel Benton

Of all the shows I have been to in Thurston County, this was the one that had the most people dressed up in theme with the show. Audiences were thrilled to see J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Hobbit” brought to life on our beloved Olympia Family Theater (OFT) stage.

Admittedly, I have personally never been a huge fan of the "Lord of the Rings" or "The Hobbit" franchises because I find myself getting bored often, but OFT kept me engaged throughout the show and really opened my eyes to the wonders within this story.  

There was so much love and time invested in this show by various members of our community, and each deserve a round of applause. In fact, it was made known to the audience before the show began that selected members of the cast stepped into the production only nine days before the premiere! Even more impressive, I could not tell who they were as everyone’s performance felt elevated.  

It would be impossible to celebrate the numerous characters and creatures in this show. This is why today’s column will be dedicated to sharing my sort of highlight reel from the show. When you see the show, please comment below with your favorite parts. Together, we can find a way to personally celebrate every deserving member of this production.  

Highlight reel 

Before the show began, I knew it was going to be special and for two specific reasons: the remarkable set design, and the joyful and fun energy Co-Director James Dover displayed in his preshow opening.  

Vanessa Cat, Jason Jenkins, Ben Matthews, Hailey Margaret Hubbard, Sydney Bement, Nick Van Der Pluym and Joe Green each contributed their talents to create an atmosphere that feels fantastical, imaginative, enchanting and cozy all at the same time. Their contributions cannot be overlooked because they are what made all the Tolkien fans in the audience feel right at home.  

Another important element was the music — there was a musical score performed throughout in addition to sporadic moments of singing (as called for in the original novel). Musical Director Heather Matthews and band member Aaron Wolff really brought the show’s magical score to life. Each note, which was played perfectly, brought us deeper into Middle Earth and the worlds that exist within. Do not let me give you the wrong impression, Matthews and Wolff didn’t just play the music — they felt it. Without the emotion and love they gave, the score would have been bland. The audience could really hear the difference.

I would be amiss if I did not acknowledge the following performances:  

• Beau Xzane’s Bilbo Baggins was naturally funny, meaning nothing about it felt forced. Xzane’s performance also embraced many emotions, which were felt through the tone of voice and facial expressions.  

• Susana Bailén’s depiction of Balin was just so sweet and delightfully loving and awkward. The best way I can phrase it is I want her character to be my best friend, emotional support animal, or if nothing else gives me a big hug, which would probably be healing to my soul.  

• When Aidan Hoey first came out as Gollum, I tucked into my mom and let out an, “Oh sweet Jesus,” which made my whole family laugh. I wasn’t scared, but was startled and immediately impressed by the mannerisms and vocal qualities Hoey embraced to create Gollum. If you threw on a touch of computer-generated imagery, you would not be able to find the difference between his performance and Andy Serkis’.  

• Sullivan Tyler depicted many characters who were important to show but certainly not meant to be stars of the show. Yet, there is something about Tyler’s charisma that makes him immediately likable.  

Why we Hobbit 

I used to think the only reason people enjoyed this story was because of the fantasy elements that allowed them to escape reality. Now after seeing OFT’s show, I understand the deeper appeal of the story.  

People love to root for an underdog, enjoy the camaraderie of miscasts and misfit groups of friends and savor their journey.  

There is an quote that speaks to the heart of the story more than anything else, and it is the exact antidote our broken society needs right now. I will leave you with this:  

“If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.” 

- JRR Tolkien

 Get your ticket to "The Hobbit" now! The Olympia Family Theater is located at 612 4th Ave E in downtown Olympia.

Rachel is a writer, arts advocate, performing arts enthusiast, and passionate about our beloved Thurston County. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in History and Political Science and minor in Music. You can enjoy more of Rachel's writings by visiting her website. All inquiries for Rachel can be submitted here.