Rhoads' Family Corkboard

‘Boxcar Children’
Orlando Youth Theatre’s spin on the Depression-era children’s literature classic Boxcar Children reminds young and old that with pluck and determination, sunshine hovers just around the darkest corner.

Director Katie Corrie sticks close to Gertrude Chandler Warner’s charming tale of four orphans who find refuge in an abandoned boxcar, and in each other, before a long-lost, wealthy grandfather rescues them. She gives the Alden quartet knickers and knee socks, anklets and Mary Janes and “aw-shucks” grins sure to steal hearts.

There’s a bit of license: Watch, the children’s Scottish stray, becomes youngest Alden Benny’s stuffed lovey in the closed quarters of the Margeson Theater. Corrie introduces us to the tykes, who don’t solve mysteries in this pared-down production as they do in the 119 or so sequels to Warner’s original. But you will get delightful performances from the area’s brightest young stars that will dare you not to wipe away a tear when eldest Henry calls on Mama in heaven for help, or to choke back a chuckle when Benny offers to “pee” to put out the fire.

More than six decades and several economic downturns later, Warner’s message — replayed in the end — is still fresh: Home is where the heart is.

Remaining performances: 6:40 p.m. today; 8:10 p.m. Mon. 5/18 ; 9:20 p.m. Tues. 5/19; 8:25 p.m. Fri. 5/22; 1:30 p.m. Sat. 5/23. Orange venue

- Orlando Sentinel’s Review of Shane’s performance of Benny