I remember after opening night of the first show I did at Montevallo I walked out and told someone that I had messed up a word and I was really upset about it. My director, mentor, and professor Tammy overheard me and calmly said, “But you told the story.” I was embarrassed that not only had she overheard me, but because I had just pointed out my mistake to her! I worked my butt off to get all of the words perfect for the rest of the run. I am a perfectionist, not a good thing to be as an actress!
Today I finished my weekend theatre blitz with a production of To Kill A Mockingbird at Virginia Samford Theatre. I mention the story above because as a perfectionist there are many things that I could point out about the play that were not perfect. I loved the set and most of the casting was spot on. While Thursday was in a tiny space and Friday was in a huge venue, today was in a middle sized, older theatre. Unlike Goldie Locks I did not think one was too small, one too big and one just right. I enjoyed all three as they related to the crowd and show we were watching. I don’t know if the drama of today’s play would have been as intense in a larger space and in a small space I think I would have been scared!
As for the couple of characters I would have cast differently, I know as a director sometimes you have different visions or you have to take what you have that fits as closely as possible. There were a couple of people who were not totally believable in their parts. But overall the powerful story that most of us as Southerners know so well was told in a way that horrified and moved me, even though I was well aware of what was about to happen.
It took me a long time, more shows at school as an actress and as a director to realize how important the story really is. I am such a stickler for words as an actress since I love writing so much. I will agonize over a word for hours to make sure I say exactly what I want to say. I remember being asked in my post mortem after my BFA project if I had said what I meant in an email and I nearly laughed. I write, edit, rewrite, proof, rewrite, edit and often read aloud either to myself or others every word I write, even in texts! That is one reason a text takes me so long! (Another reason is being uncoordinated!) For someone to question my words was laughable! And as an actress I assume every playwright has spent hours choosing just the word they want to have said by that character and who am I to change it!?! But more and more I have come to realize that, although I still try to get it right, the overall story is the objective.
The production today really was a moving experience of superb storytelling, something I attribute to the author of the original book, Harper Lee and the playwright, Christopher Sergal, as much as the actors. The lead role of Atticus Finch played by Rodney Clark, certainly set the bar for this production. He had the right amount of pride, humility, humanity, and intelligence. Although very young, the role of Scout was portrayed well by Cece Kelly. All three children in the cast were cute and did a good job.
Again my only complaint is with two audience members who sat in front of me and talked loudly throughout the entire show. I think since I complained about eating during a show and what people wear in the last post, the theatre gods decided to show me that it could be worse and indeed, talking loudly during a performance is THE WORST! And I was on the third row and they were on the second! I can assure you the actors could hear them!
All and all this weekend has been so fun and I saw such a mix of theatre (and Alabama won their football game!) Although the next week holds some amazing plans it does not include theatre so my reviewing is done for a week or so. But I will keep you posted on what is happening in the mean time and have more reviews in 2 weeks!
