Spring Break
The Daily OrangeStrong performances keep play, characters from drowning
By Dan Briggs
Posted: 1/29/07, 12:19 AM EST Section: Feature
The actors thrive on the comedic exchanges, which are written much better than the play's dramatic sections. There are plenty of jokes about technological ineptitude at the expense of farmer Basil Bennett's (Doug Rougeaux).
When describing a manure spreader to Layman, Basil tells him, "You drag it around, see, and it shits on your field."
The set consists simply of Atonement's uniquely shaped stage, including several raised platforms and a few props. Wilson's use of the stage to create each scene is clever and effective. At one moment the stage becomes a river, another moment a farm, all with the help of body language, lighting and a few sparse props.
Although the play is well done, the script falls short of the cast's potential. Leonard fails to explore some of the deeper themes the play has the potential to address. He skirts around the near romance between Showers and Layman's 18-year-old daughter Jennie Mae (Katelyn Remington).
A dinner-theater vibe permeates Atonement. The audience sits at candle-lit tables with water pitchers and cups for coffee, and at intermission chocolate chip cookies complete the dining experience.
Dabu, a student at Chestnut Hill Middle School in Liverpool, said the hardest part about playing Buddy was rehearsing for the slow-motion scene at the end, in which he drowns. Dabu does not know if he will pursue theater professionally; for now he is just having fun.
"I like doing the accent (of Buddy)," he said. "I like all the wave swings that Buddy goes through. I like how he's so happy one minute and then down the next."
If you go:
What: The Diviners
Where: Appleseed Productions, 116 W. Glen Ave.
When: Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Sundays at 2 p.m. through Feb. 10.
How much: Students: $12 Adults: $15
When describing a manure spreader to Layman, Basil tells him, "You drag it around, see, and it shits on your field."
The set consists simply of Atonement's uniquely shaped stage, including several raised platforms and a few props. Wilson's use of the stage to create each scene is clever and effective. At one moment the stage becomes a river, another moment a farm, all with the help of body language, lighting and a few sparse props.
Although the play is well done, the script falls short of the cast's potential. Leonard fails to explore some of the deeper themes the play has the potential to address. He skirts around the near romance between Showers and Layman's 18-year-old daughter Jennie Mae (Katelyn Remington).
A dinner-theater vibe permeates Atonement. The audience sits at candle-lit tables with water pitchers and cups for coffee, and at intermission chocolate chip cookies complete the dining experience.
Dabu, a student at Chestnut Hill Middle School in Liverpool, said the hardest part about playing Buddy was rehearsing for the slow-motion scene at the end, in which he drowns. Dabu does not know if he will pursue theater professionally; for now he is just having fun.
"I like doing the accent (of Buddy)," he said. "I like all the wave swings that Buddy goes through. I like how he's so happy one minute and then down the next."
If you go:
What: The Diviners
Where: Appleseed Productions, 116 W. Glen Ave.
When: Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Sundays at 2 p.m. through Feb. 10.
How much: Students: $12 Adults: $15
Be the first to comment on this story