Hyde Arts Centerchurch Baseent Ladiesfall I Smell Barn 2018

Expanse theatre is back, and a beloved series is serving up some good ol' Midwestern wholesomeness in The Church Basement Ladies in You Smell Barn at the Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse. This musical one-act was simply the perfect fashion for the venue to reopen in the wake of last year's COVID-19 restrictions, and my husband and I had the privilege of attention Friday'south opening-night performance. It was fabled.

Directed by Short Wollan and inspired by the volume Growing up Lutheran by Janet Letnes Martin and Suzann Nelson (the latter of whom passed away on March 14), You Olfactory property Barn demonstrates ordinary people revealing a wealth of life by doing boggling things – namely, serving others. With the evidence set in the rural heartland of the 1950s, its sturdy ladies get down to the business of doing chores with hilarious and innovative antics that make your heart grin.

The evening began with a visit from (fully masked) producer Dennis Hitchcock, who greeted patrons at their tables on this special night. As the theatre's bulletin expressed then eloquently, "Entertaining you means the globe to us," and Hitchcock expressed gratitude to all of those who made donations as the playhouse fights to recover from a difficult year.

The Circa '21 Bootleggers put on a condensed pre-show with their usual flair, only with fewer members of the performing expect staff than usual. Speaking of which, each tabular array had two servers, who were also fully masked: one who took drink orders, and ane who served the food. Patrons also continue to wear masks when entering and moving nigh the theatre, and with all that being said, the production'due south actors were outstanding, with a very well-rounded cast of seasoned vets bringing their 'A' games on Friday.

Brad Hauskins shined every bit he played iii different roles: Fergus, an Irish gaelic-Cosmic hired hand; Tillie, an eccentric female person writer; and Porky, a graphic symbol I was not conspicuously able to identify. I did, nonetheless, specially enjoy Hauskins as Tillie, the local columnist who tapped away on her typewriter singing about "Tillie'due south tidbits" while rolling around in a chair looking like a version of Tootsie. Kudos to costume designer Gregory Hiatt for decking out the actor with a curly red wig, bright orange hat, and white true cat eyeglasses.

Shelley Walljasper was fantastic equally Mavis, the hardworking, tough-talking soul who appeared to be the gum property everyone together. Walljasper, with her impeccable acting chops, is a force of nature in the local acting scene and never disappoints. Proving as talented was Jennifer Poarch as Karin, the e'er-then-apprehensive mother and housewife who has the wisdom to know she is right where she belongs. Poarch has a particularly poignant moment in Act II as she sings "If I Knew Then What I Know At present."

Fall O'Ryan was a hoot equally Vivian, the proud and sometimes stubbornly overdramatic Lutheran widow who owned the Snustad barn in which the community celebrations often took place. Amidst her multiple roles, Erica Lee Bigelow portrayed Karin'southward daughter Beverly, also as Evelyn, the very-meaning member of the Barn Cats musical group. Bigelow had a big voice that was quite beautiful and memorable.

And finally, Thomas J. Besler did an outstanding job juggling five different characters himself. Besler was astonishing in his ability to completely transform his persona from the sweet and sensitive Pastor Gunderson, to the erratic mailman Earl, to the honest and hardworking farmer Russel, to Vivian's one-time husband Lars, to Butch, the bouncy cowboy singer and member of the Barn Cats.

I loved the choreography by Shelley Cooper, especially in the scene where Butch leads the "You Smell Barn Square Trip the light fantastic." Cooper's creativity was off-the-charts funny, with unusual dance moves that really cracked me up. And Ron May's musical management was topnotch, with the entire cast mastering the music and comedy in ways that highlighted each individual'south strengths.

As far as the scenic design by Scott Herbst, Susan Holgersson, and Emma Haydorn is concerned, it was pleasant and understated, with a blueish pastel wall that highlighted terrific 1950s pieces such as a vintage radio, microphone, and delightful old-fashioned stove and kitchenette. (At i point, Karin pulled out a portable clothesline and strung it halfway across the stage with ease, which I found to be quite clever.) The audio effects by Joao (Zee) Stacy-Vieira were outset-rate, and included accurate thunder and lightning likewise as tornado sirens and the clicking of Tillie's typewriter as she frantically types upwards her latest column. And complementing the sound pattern was the lighting and technical mastery of Mike Turczynski, which added just the correct amounts of shadow and light to delineate sunrise and dusk throughout the evening.

There was never a tiresome moment throughout the entire show, with The Church Basement Ladies in Y'all Smell Barn delivering good, make clean fun that anybody in the family tin can enjoy. It was very nice to exist dorsum at Circa '21, and judging by the way the cast members performed with such passion and joy, I would venture to say that everyone was super-stoked to be back on a phase.

The Church Basement Ladies in You Scent Befouled runs at the Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse (1828 Third Avenue, Rock Isle) through May 15, and more than data and tickets are available by calling (309)786-7733 extension 2 or visiting Circa21.com.

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Source: https://www.rcreader.com/theatre/roles-in-hay-you-smell-barn

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