May turned out to be a light month for theater in Murfreesboro, but there was still great work on the stages at Murfreesboro Little Theatre, and a venue I had not been to before, St. Claire Street Senior Center.
John Millington Synge’s “The Playboy of the Western World,” produced by Nosuch Players, was a fun-filled, yet adult-themed presentation, and probably today it would almost be hailed as Irish slapstick.
It was first produced in County Mayo, Ireland over 103 years ago, but when first played in the United States in 1911, the entire cast and crew were arrested after the first act for “putting on displays of filth and immoral actions.” My, have times changed.
Jamie Storvik and Shane Lowery in "The Playboy of the Western World."
Shawn Keough (Chris Todd) is the fiance of Pegeen Flaherty (Jamie Storvik) and she is the daughter of Michael James Flaherty (Bob Fish). Doing everything by the church’s book, therefore God’s will, Shawn seems a wee bit jealous but powerless when Christy Mahon (Shane Lowery) shows up at the Flaherty Country House (local bar, actually) claiming to have killed his father. Pegeen takes mercy on Christy, and it seems she is also wanton of taking something else from him. The townsfolk are more intrigued than angered at first on his claim, and the town ladies seem to have a special fondness for the laddie. When it is found that Christy’s father (Todd Seage) is very much alive and shows up at the House, Christy takes a beatin’ for being a liar, not for the sin of killing his father.
This was a well-rounded show and it was much enjoyed. It kept you “awonderin” what was going to happen next. The blocking was terrific, a great use of the entire stage, and the set was incredible, very nicely put together. The team of actors blended well; no one was “out of place.” The lighting was good, as was the costuming, and directors/producers Todd and Donna Seage did an awesome job of putting this production together. My only drawback was the Irish “brogue” or dialect used. Sometimes the words and sentences would become so “choppy” with some actors, it was very hard to understand what they were saying. I assume they were trying too hard NOT to slip into “Southern” Irish or a broken British/English. All in all, however, this was a good show and they are to be commended.
Time for the Seniors to Shine
After seeing four high school performances in March and April, it was a pleasure to watch “Make Mine Metamucil” at the St. Clair Street Senior Center in May. A laugh a minute, and directed by Linda Burt, the 10 seniors on the stage were inspiring and incredible. The always wonderful Susanne Tenpenny, well-known on the Murfreesboro stage circuits, played Gladys, who wants to be a writer and movie director. Her friends Mildred (Eva Lancaster) and Morton (Forrest Ward) push her to fulfill her dream, as long as they have parts in the movie. Along come con artists Miles and Devlin (Lionel Bohne and Jerry Bailey) who, in an attempt to take Gladys’ life savings, take her script and begin making her movie.
With Maria James, Karen Frye, Tom Lancaster and Shirley and Stan Solamillo co-starring, this hoot of a production played before 300 people in just two shows. With dinner the evening I was there, I was most pleased with the performances and the show itself. The lighting was good, as was the sound and the costuming.
One thought—Jerry Bailey, a very respected actor in town, and his cohort in crime in this show, Lionel Bohne, are hilarious, and they should think about starting their own comedy routine. They were that good.
Some Opportunities for Young Local Actors
Jamie Storvik, a board member at MLT and one of the finer performers in town, is hosting another fun-filled theater workshop for kids and teens. With poster designing, acting techniques, set building, painting and costume design, there will be something for everyone, including a final production at the end of the two-week workshop! Visit mltarts.com for dates and times or to register.
Also, Riverdale High School’s Fine Arts Department is having several weeks of “actors classes” in June, for elementary, middle and high school kids interested in becoming actors or just honing up on their talents. Contact Ms. Mary Ellen Smith at the school (890-6450) or smithmellen@rcs.k12.tn.us for more information.
Looking Ahead
The cast(s) of "Doubt," coming to Out Front on Main
June is promising some great stage theater, beginning with Out Front on Main’s “Doubt,” opening June 10 for a three-weekend run; Center for the Arts’ “The Odd Couple,” opening June 11 for a three-weekend run; and MLT’s “Best Little Whorehouse in Texas,” also beginning June 11 for a two-weekend run. You might want to see “Doubt” twice, as the play has two casts, flip-flopping each night; unusual but creative, this is another imaginative piece of work Director George W. Manus Jr. has up his sleeve.
One last note, my congratulations to the Murfreesboro stage’s Pat Prosser, who will be marrying her childhood sweetheart Dave Merz in late June. Mr. Merz has moved here from St. Louis to share in wedded bliss with the darling Miss Prosser, and I wish them both many years of happiness.
See ya’ at the show.
