A Utah Theater Review by Jennifer Mustoe
October is the month for chilling shows – not just because it’s Halloween time, but because in Utah, once the sun goes down, it’s cold. So when I decided to see Warboy Theater Project‘s Tell-Tale Heart, playing at the (outdoor) Castle Amphitheater in Provo, I thought, that sounds cool! As in, cold!
Also, I knew the amphitheater proper was being used by Grassroots Shakespeare Company, so wondered where WTP’s show would be. It turns out it was produced in this cool stone room, with a fire in the grate and lightbulbs hanging from the ceiling (Lighting by Paige Porter), looking all period piece/creepy. But I’m getting ahead of myself.
Getting to the Castle Amphitheater is a little tricky. If you stay on Center Street past the Utah State Hospital’s sign, drive up the roundabout and turn left there, there are signs that take you the rest of the way. But the first time I drove there, I thought, am I going the right way? Keep driving and you’ll find it.
As I got to the entrance (which, again, is a little tricky and it might be a good idea to put some kind of signage there) I was greeted by an orderly, played by Peter Leppard. He gave a little travelogue-type speech as he showed us how to get to the play space. It was of added interest that we were, in fact, right next to a mental hospital and TheTell-Tale Heart takes place in one, too. The information the Orderly gave us was a mixture of real info and fiction, and very delightful. Be forewarned – the climb is rather steep steps for a stretch.
The stage, the stone room, with its crackling fire and dark, spooky appearance has chairs on two sides, and every few chairs has a big, thick quilt to guard against the chill. I had brought my own quilt, but since the room got pretty cold, I saw almost every other patron snuggled under their quilts. The show was in progress when I got there, and I really thought I was on time, so be prompt to this show.
Three beds are the set pieces, and in the corner, in the office, is a desk, chair and lamp. Set designer Dan Whiting’s design is effectively stark. John, played by Brian Grob, is building with blocks, all natural wood color except one blue one, which he keeps placing in the middle, surrounded by the others. He rants and raves about The Eye. If you’re familiar with Edgar Allen Poe’s short story, The Tell-Tale Heart, on which this play is based, you’ll know Poe talks about The Eye a lot.
Heather, the self-appointed nursemaid is comforting Ray, who is huddling on his bed. Melanie Thomason plays Heather and does a perfect job. I’ve seen Ms. Thomason in other productions and she has always been a pleasure to see. But this show is a difficult part to play and she nails it. She goes from loving and nurturing, conniving, desperate and then – well, I won’t say. But she is very intense and worth seeing. The fact that she is rather slight and utterly beautiful is at once unimportant but undeniably lends an even more desperate air to the story.
Ray, played by Phil Varney, never utters a word. This is not to say he is incidental. Varney’s acting ability is pronounced and intense. Part of the intensity for me was to just get him to say even one word. Speak, Ray, speak, I wanted to shout. However, Varney’s characterization of Ray’s issues and his inability/unwillingness to speak fleshed out Ray in ways that words may not have.Ray’s pain was evident in every nuance.
But not all couples have a rocking cialis wholesale prices one to boost of. But can cialis soft canada only be used by men? Can women take levitra or levitra prices par 4 8024013430 davidfraymusic.compecia o finasteride propecia can kamagra in pfizer in pakistan 100 60 ato kp sverige penser can u take and opinie kamagra hoe lang werking propecia propecia online kaufen gnstig generi en generika rezeptfrei bestellen opinie. If you think that only medicine can improve the quality and prolong life of the individual at some point tadalafil cost here are the findings of time or the other. The page rank of your website will rise with more inbound links to Continue to link viagra free delivery your page and, of course, what is a better way to advertise your services, products or a website than with skillfully written and informative articles.
The (creepy) Doctor, played by Jason Sullivan, was well-done. Each character in the show was a stereotype of mental hospitals in the past (or even today. I don’t know. I’ve never been incarcerated in one.) Sullivan’s tightly-wrapped, controlling Doctor was evil enough that I didn’t even need to find out he’d been abusive to hate him. And the abuse is never seen, and really only hinted at.
The Orderly in the play is played by Leviticus Brown. He is the Bringer of Meds and doesn’t have much else to do. But he plays his part well and is necessary to the plot.
Costumer Anne Betts’ costumes (with help from The Hale Theatre Archive Costumes) are understated and authentic, and Make Up Technician Cali Holcombe had her hands full. (There is blood splashed about on actors throughout the show. So let me say here: if you’re squeamish about blood, even stage blood, you have been warned. I am not particularly freaked out with blood and this show didn’t bug me at all.)
I could go on and on, but I will summarize – there is madness, there is much speaking of The Eye, and the heartbeats (by Sound Engineer Todd Mitchell and Technician Peter Leppard) that start about halfway through, the speed up and slow down as the tension rises and falls is, in a word, awesome. I loved it.Madness is the theme of the show, and as it twirls around, at several points, I really did wonder who was mad and who wasn’t, not in a what is going on in this play, who wrote this kind of way. But the script is such that everyone looks nuts at certain points and it kept me spellbound and tense. In a good way.Director Jyllian Unice keeps her players moving and using the space well, and the intensity level is perfect.
My only criticism, if it is that, is the show drags a little in spots. We go back and forth a bit in the plot that could be tightened up a bit. And Heather sings a song at the beginning to calm Ray down that could be shortened. (Though Ms. Thomason has a lovely voice, I will say.)
The show is only 45 minutes long, is inexpensive, and is well worth seeing. I understand this is Warboy Theater Project’s second project. From those at WTP: “Warboy Theatre Projects was created this year by a group of friends at UVU who wanted to produce quality original works. The way we try to achieve this is by bringing on guest writers and directors to create a true collaboration through the writing, casting, rehearsal and performance process.”
Congratulations to them! This is an excellent production!
0 Comments