Buddy Jones, Justin Hand, Megan Blevins and Ryan T. Daniel in Burn This
Out Front Lights a Fire
This month’s opening offering at Out Front on Main is difficult to qualify for many reasons. Offered in memoriam of American playwright Lanford Wilson who passed away March 24, 2011, Burn This is a complex, almost irreducible character study of intimacy in all its varieties. Set against a rushed, metropolitan backdrop, the story follows four entangled almost-friends as they trip though their relationships with each other in the wake of a death that touches all their lives.
The intimate venue of Out Front on Main was perfect for the production. Set entirely in the living area of a small apartment, the theater’s intimate seating provided a deeply voyeuristic sensation that heightened the pathos of the play. The set and lighting were simple and authentic; they provided a backdrop that was simultaneously richly detailed and unobtrusive.
Out Front veteran Megan Blevins led the cast as Anna, a dancer whose roommate and choreography partner recently died in a boating accident. As she attempts to process the emotions that surround his death, Anna is consoled by her other roommate, Larry (Buddy Jones), and her on-again/off-again beau, Burton (Ryan Daniel). Into their lives, Pale (Justin Hand)—the brother of the deceased—thrusts himself to ends both passionate and unsettling.
Burn This was expertly directed by George W Manus Jr. His care with the characters was evident; the actors’ performances were thoughtful and sincere. Blevins was especially compelling in her role; her delicate mix of grief, ennui and soulful passion were so finely crafted that the audience could not keep themselves from sharing her pain. Jones delivered a fine performance; he demonstrated careful restraint with a character who could have easily been made into a caricature. The surprise performance came from Hand, whose frenetic Pale became a desperate, clutching allegory for the need for intimacy within us all.
Lanford Wilson’s Burn This is yet another success for Out Front on Main. With offerings of this caliber, Murfreesboro’s newest theatre is sure to enjoy many more years of success.
Sublime Shakespeare at MLT
In a bold, new experiment, Murfreesboro Little Theatre presented William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream in a free, outdoor amphitheater-style production. Brilliantly directed by Donna Seage, this ever-popular Bard comedy was absolutely delightful. The perfect weather, the oddly appropriate hum of the cicadas, and the talented performers combined flawlessly for a most enjoyable evening.
To design a set and lighting in the controlled environment of a theater is a unique challenge, one that rewards its architect for supporting a production without intruding into it. To accept this challenge in an unpredictable environment—one in which sunsets and precipitation are constant concerns—is a bold and audacious move. Designer Todd Seage provided a fantastic backdrop for this show, and his efforts were a definite success. The audience was welcomed by a triptych stage where humans and fairies, waking and dreaming flitted from one panel to another in an effortless ballet.
The ensemble cast of this classic comedy welcomed both veteran and new actors to the Murfreesboro stage. The talent in this show was so deep that it is difficult to single out individual actors, but there were several standout performances. Shane Lowery and E. Roy Lee were fantastic as the dueling human lovers Lysander and Demetrius. Equally enjoyable were their paramours, Veronica Hanners and Jamie Storvik, who played Hermia and Helena, respectively. The unabashed vigor of this quartet’s physical comedy was daring and hilarious. Todd Seage, in the role of Nick Bottom, led the group of excitable thespians, whose play-within-a-play was so bad that it was perfect. Bob Fish’s portrayal of Oberon was unique and memorable; he brought a playful dignity to the role that was more subtle and engaging than the playboy charisma that usually characterizes the King of the Fairies. Fellow fairies Titania and Puck, played by Elyse Helford and Jack Ryan Denny, were also delightful with their gypsy-styled grace and antics.
MLT’s Midsummer Night was a near-perfect adventure. Personally, I wish Shakespeare’s works were produced more often in Murfreesboro, and I would love to see future outings like this one in the summers to come.
Murder Sets Sail at the Center for the Arts
The Center for the Arts, in cooperation with director Cyndie Verbeeten, created a delightful high seas adventure, which started from the moment you checked in on the passenger log and were handed your boarding pass for the HMS Victoria. The lovely cruise director, Miss Hastings, had a smile on her face as she took each passenger to his seat, and although her outfit seemed a little more appropriate for a USO pin-up than a cruise director, she wore it well.
As each character was introduced, the plot thickened. Deception is the key in any good murder mystery, and this cruise was definitely on board. The pairing of Emily Davis and Scott Adcock as the “lovely couple” was well cast, and their public displays of affection were enough to make the guests cover their mouths in either shock or anticipation of seasickness. Alexius Puckett was convincingly devious as the groom’s sister, Vivian Rothchild, and blended very well with Ted Verbeeten, as Lord Bennett, and the rest of the cast in the tongue-in-cheek diddy, There’s Always a Price to Pay. Denis Pesar did an amazing job of keeping the mood going between scenes with his repertoire of songs. Chris McLaurin as Father Casse-Cou made the guests feel at home with his quirky sense of humor and obsession with funerals and the flask. Michael Adcock as Inspector Clurrot seemed to take his inspiration from a little bit of Peter Sellers and Steve Martin, and he left a few of the guests to ride the wake when he sang Cleu, by Cleu, by Cleu.
The evening fare was catered by Five Senses restaurant. From the sherry vinaigrette on the salad to the braised pork covered in a tomato-basil sauce, this foodie was definitely caught in a whirlpool of sensations. Kudos to the cast (and crew) of the HMS Victoria, and I wish you bon voyage as the ship sets sail across the horizon. My recommendation, should they ever dock again, is to make your reservation; it’s well worth it.
George W. Manus Jr. and Justin Hand in Zoo Story
One-Acts Play On at Out Front
Continuing through June 5 at Out Front on Main is a double feature of one-act plays. Therac 25 by Adam Pettle, directed by Buddy Jones, tells the story of two cancer patients who meet in the waiting room of their radiation clinic. The Zoo Story by Edward Albee, directed by Ryan Daniel, shows a random encounter of two men at a park bench in New York City. I recommend venturing to Out Front before the production closes this Sunday.
Therac 25 is an interesting piece. Following the growing friendship of Moira (Heather Deane Danielsen), a woman with an inoperable brain tumor, and Alan (Andy Woloszyn), a man recovering from thyroid cancer, the play often seemed forced. Though the actors and director are all obviously talented thespians, the production fell flat. Perhaps the playwright simply did not provide them the best material. The dialogue was often trite, and it was matched by a physicality that didn’t reflect the suffering of cancer patients; movements were often too fast or too fluid. It felt as though neither the playwright nor the performers did any research into the lives of real cancer patients. I simply never felt like I was watching two people suffering from such a debilitating disease; the illusion never took hold.
Albee’s The Zoo Story was the highlight of the evening. The production was as close to perfect as I have ever seen in a one-act play. The story begins when Peter, played in a rare stage appearance by Out Front on Main founder George W Manus Jr., is confronted in a park by Jerry, unforgettably portrayed by Justin Hand. Hand again proved himself perhaps the most energetic actor in recent Murfreesboro memory with an over-the-top performance that was simply remarkable. Though it would be easy to be eclipsed in Hand’s shadow, Manus was absolutely delightful. His subtle reactions and thought-provoking performance illuminated the heart of the production, which I shall refrain from giving away. I heartily recommend that you see this performance for yourself.
