Published online February 12, 2017 in Morgan Hill Life
By Camille Bounds
Photo by Marty Cheek
Bruce Pember and Rosalind Farotte rehearse for Limelight Actors Theater’s upcoming show ‘The Country House.’
Director Kevin Heath delivers Limelight Actors Theater’s latest show “The Country House” with performances full of love and tenderness given by his talented cast. The story delves into each character and creates in the audience an understanding that makes for an evening of exceptionally fine drama that sets the bar to a high level for South Valley community theater.
Anyone familiar with Russian playwright Anton Checkhov’s work will become fascinated with the parallels of the characters in Pulitzer Prize winner Donald Margulies’ homage to the writer with his play “The Country House..” The cast are all past Limelight actors and all deliver solid performances.
The plot revolves around impressive and formerly successful stage diva Anna Patterson, (Rosalind Farotte) who summons her family, all obsessed actors, to her country house while she is appearing in her annual foray in summer stock in the Berkshires. They’ve also come to mourn the first anniversary death at 41 from cancer of her daughter Kathy, also a successful actress. She has also invited Michael Aster (Bruce Pember), a friend and former stage actor who has everyone impressed because he has made it big-time as a doctor on TV series.
It gets more Checkovian when Anna’s son, frustrated actor Elliot (Lance LaShelle), who seems to be fumbling through life and announces he has written a dramatic play about a man who kills his mother, burns down the family house and takes his own life. Then there is Anna’s son-in-law Walter (John Varela), Kathy’s widowed husband, who shows up with a Porsche and a new “hot” girlfriend Nell, (Roberta Vinkhuyzen). Add Suzie, (Dana Morgan) Kathy’s and Walter’s daughter the only one into the family not into the family acting frenzy.
The first act lets everyone fall into place – and it’s a free for all that follows. The second act melds together with colorful comedy and fun. The third act gets down to the business of each characters feelings, especially Elliot who reveals his deepest frustrations to Anna.
Bringing Margulies’s characters together with humor and, at times, pathos makes for a well done, well directed enjoyable production. An attractive set designed by Kevin Heath puts everyone in the right place at the right time.
“The Country House” offers an evening in fine theatre.
Don’t forget to come early bring or order dinner and enjoy.
Camille Bounds is the theatre, arts and travel columnist for Morgan Hill Life and Gilroy Life/ She can be reached at [email protected]
