Commentary by Cait Buckalew, Campus Carrier Assistant Entertainment Editor
Berry College Theatre Company’s rendition of “Spoon River Anthology” opens this Thursday in Barnwell Chapel.
Published in 1915, “ Spoon River Anthology” originated as a collection of 209 poems written by Edgar Lee Masters. Charles Aidman adapted for the stage in 1963.
Stories detailing different aspects of life are told from the grave as characters come back to life and begin speaking.
“It’s not a show that is a typical linear narrative with characters that remain the same throughout in dialogue with one another,” he shows director, John Countryman, Associate Professor of Theater, said.
The townspeople tell their stories one at a time, occasionally leading to multiple accounts of the same story. This format leaves it to the audience to decide which telling is most reliable, if any.
The show highlights the versatility of the actors, as it includes a large number of characters. The cast of only eight actors plays up to eight or nine characters each.
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| Photo contributed by Zach Cleland Junior Sean Manion waits during rehearsal as other cast members perform their monologues. |
“It forced us to sort of learn how to differentiate so that when we walk up, you wouldn’t think, ‘oh that’s the same guy again,’” sophomore Sam Fuller said.
A few actors stumbled over words during monologues, which can surely be attributed to nerves. However, the biggest concerns were of off pitch moments during songs. There were several harmonies that never quite sat right and a song that was out of key for a portion of its duration. Otherwise, the talent and skill of the actors is showcased fairly well.
Because you are introduced to so many characters in such a short time, it’s hard to emotionally attach to one particular character. Despite their short-lived appearances, the characters’ stories are very moving.
“These (characters) are based off of real people, the people you see in diners, the people you see walking around, just in Victorian times,” junior Heather Pharis said.
One thing that clues the audience in to the dead nature of the characters is the stage makeup, which was wonderfully executed. The actors’ faces looked pale and sullen making it clear that their characters are no longer walking among the living.
The costuming was equally believable with shawls and hats that are historically appropriate adding to the overall quality of the actors’ appearances as well as aiding in the differentiation between characters. Each time the actors stepped up they added or removed an accessory, providing a visual cue that a new person is being introduced.
Another helpful hint is the cemetery sign looming near the walkway as you approach the Barnwell Chapel entrance. The show takes place in the chapel as opposed to the theater and the actors use the space well. They make use of various unmovable aspects of the chapel such as the pulpit and the pianos without making the audience feel as though these aspects are intruding or hindering the story.
Overall, the show brings the audience in to the story of the community of Spoon River with an intricate web of dark humor and heartbreaking stories. It successfully balances the two without being excessively morbid.
Students can see the show at Barnwell Chapel from Nov. 13 to 15 at 7:30 p.m., Nov 20 to 22 at 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 23 at 2:00 p.m.