Two Tales of Love Onstage

You can tell it’s late spring/early summer if for no other reason, couples are in love?the reason for June weddings and so many babies born in March.

None could tell love was in the air so blatantly as those at the Center for the Arts and Murfreesboro Little Theatre these past two weeks. A boy, a girl and parents so far apart in their personalities and ways of life were the themes at both venues.

“You Can’t Take it With You”

Incredibly, I had never seen “You Can’t Take it With You” in all the years I’ve been involved in theater. I have no idea how it got by me, but it could not get any better than this production at the Center, which?closed this past Sunday. The stage was well lit, detailed and intricate, the space was very well utilized, and the blocking sequences were superb. The boy/girl love affair, and their total opposite families, were a terrific two hours of pure fun.

I?give Director Joel I. Meriwether two thumbs up for his casting in this show. The 19 actors were wonderful, and I?heard no flubbed lines, saw no bad lighting and no miscues. I do hope, however, that Mark Dixon’s nose is okay.

The actors made this play the sleeper of the season thus far. Kudos to Brian M. Booth as Ed Carmichael and Lauren Atkins as Essie Carmichael. Their energy and whirlwind efforts on stage were felt by the audience and exhausted me. Elyce Helford was a hoot and a convincing drunk, John Mack Green was great as Grandpa Vanderhoff and a bow goes to Cheryle Zachery-Smith. Maurice Bullard, as Donald, stole the scene several times.

It was good to see Todd Seage on stage again. He has been missed, and I think he should keep the bald head. I commend Kat Hanrahan and her crew for a job well done backstage, and the lighting and sound were the best in a long time at the Center.

The play sold out for many of its eight performances, and well it should have.

“The Fantasticks”

The very next night was the opening of “The Fantasticks” at Murfreesboro Little Theatre, and although I hate using this cheesy cliche, it was fantastic. A standing-room-only crowd watched some of the funniest lines and body language I have ever seen onstage in Murfreesboro. Zany, almost clownish in atmosphere, with some vaudeville thrown in, Director Wayman Price and his actors were, simply put, “mahvelous.” An all-star cast of some of the best known names of Rutherford County stage kept us all in stitches for an hour and a half. Kudos to the fathers, Gary Davis and David Cummings, who could have had canes and top hats for their wonderful duets and dance. Bows to Chris Todd and Wayman Price, who kept climbing out of a box of tricks from nowhere, the secret of how I will not tell. Applause to Emily Lowery and Luke Quarto, the starstruck lovers whose acting and voice abilities amaze me, to E. Roy Lee, who had some of the best lines in the production, and a dozen red roses to Philip Storvik, his Zorro-like appeal and silky voice causing ladies in the audience to swoon and men to quiver.

The “turn-a-round” of the MLT stage was something to behold. I was impressed with the lighting and Charlie Parker is always all keyed up for a sterling musical performance.

I was taken aback and so glad to see Cheryle Zachery-Smith and Sarah Jones-Johnson, from the Center’s “You Can’t Take it With You” on opening night of the “Fantasticks.” (They had understudies.) The show was a tribute and in memory to the late actor Ralph Smith, Mrs. Zachery-Smith’s husband. Price played the part Smith had at MLT many years ago, and he did Mr. Smith wonderful justice. Ralph was watching, Wayman, and I am sure he gave you a standing ovation. Some of the cast of the “Fantasticks” went the following Thursday night to the Center to watch that show as well. I have to admit, I like seeing the theaters and the actors supporting each other’s stages.

Looking Ahead

Andy Ford will be directing “I Do! I Do!” at the Center beginning July 11. Shane Lowery’s direction of ?The Widow’s Best Friend” will show at MLT in July, as is George W. Manus Jr’s “The Laramie Project,” coming in August also at MLT.

Wayman Price is directing “Inherit the Wind” at Patterson Park in July.

See ya at the theater!

UPCOMING AUDITIONS

“Fiddler on the Roof” June 29 at 4 p.m.; June 30 at 6 p.m.

Center for the Arts

Directed by Andy Ford

For more information, call (615) 904-ARTS.

“Honk, Junior”

July 27 at 2 p.m.; July 28 at 6 p.m.

The Theater at Patterson Park

Directed by E. Roy Lee

Roles available for eight boys and eight girls ages 6-18 and a chorus.