By Meg Larson
After a busy week of work, seeing Plan-B Theatre’s production of The Post Office at the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center was a perfect way to end my week. It is a moving and thought provoking experience that resonated with me long after I walked out of the theatre’s doors. It also warmed my heart to see so many people gathered together for a good cause.
The Post Office, written by Melissa Leilani Larson and adapted from a story by Rabindranath Tagore, is the story of Ash (Alexis Bitner), a sickly 13 year old with a wild imagination and an appetite for a life outside of her small house that has only one open window. All she wants is to go outside and see the world, but Doc (Kaplan Keener) says that she has to rest. While she sits looking out her window, she meets and inspires people as they pass by.
Throughout the show, Bitner delivers every single line flawlessly and never once breaks character. It is obvious that she has a genuine connection with her character. Aunt Maddox (Elaia Echeverria) is Ash’s guardian and they share a sweet relationship, despite Ash repeatedly trying to sneak out and go on adventures against Doc’s orders. Echeverria has a great motherly aura about her that makes her a perfect as Maddox. Badger (Carter Wagstaff), one of my favorites, has an approach to helping Ash with her illness by telling silly stories to feed her imagination rather than discouraging it. I not only found him entertaining, but I found their relationship touching and important.
Director Adam Wilkins does an excellent job at helping the cast as a whole to interact naturally with each other. Some of the characters in the show are symbols, which I find extremely captivating. The Stranger (Sarah D’anella) symbolizes death, and appears whenever Ash feels the effects and fatigue of her illness. D’anella maintains a mysterious, yet calming feeling every time she enters the stage. The Royal Physician (Tyrah Sanchez), symbolizes an angel taking Ash as she passes, showing that she will heal as she enters her next life.
The set design by Madeleine Ashton is tasteful and detailed with a little house frame that allows the stage to be open and inviting for the audience. Lighting design by Pilar Davis adequately lights the set with mood and precision, and I loved creative and detailed costuming by Maddiey Howell-Wilkins.
Plan B Theatre’s production of The Post Office will leave you with a new perspective on how lucky you are to be alive, as well as maybe a couple tears in your eyes. It gives us the message that no matter how hard life is, you can always be grateful for what you have, and keep hoping that it will get better. This show is for ages 8 and up. No babes-in-arms.
All proceeds go to Adopt-A-Future, a program of the United Nations Association that supports refugee education in Kenya.
Plan-B Theatre presents The Post Office by Melissa Leilani Larson.
Rose Wagner Arts Center, 138 W 300 S, Salt Lake City UT 84101
August 24-25 4:00 PM, 24-26 7:00 PM
Tickets: $10 can be purchased at the box office or at this link.
Contact: 801-297-4200
Plan-B Theatre Facebook Page
The Post Office Facebook Event
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