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A CurtainUp Connecticut Review
The Orphans' Home Cycle: Part III
Review of Part I
Review of Part III
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How can human beings stand all that comes to them? How can they?
— Horace Robedaux
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Annalee Jefferies and Jenny Dare Paulin.
(Photo by T. Charles Erickson) |
Spanning the years 1918-1928, The Story of a Family brings change and sorrow as the Spanish Flu epidemic following World War I claims the lives of many of the residents of Harrison, TX, and those who survive must learn to cope with their losses. Horace (Bill Heck) and Elizabeth (Maggie Lacey) grow closer with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Vaughn (James DeMarse and Hallie Foote), who despair over their irresponsible son, Brother (Bryce Pinkham), who can't seem to stay out of trouble or find purpose in his life.
Horace finally has his own store, but hard financial times cloud his dream of making it a success. When Brother gets into even more trouble it almost bankrupts the family business, Mrs. Vaughn turns to Horace, with whom she is closer than her own son and Horace finally comes to terms with his own mother's coldness.
It's an incredibly satisfying story, told by master storyteller Foote, an excellent cast (who must be totally exhausted following a marathon performance of all three plays) brought together with heart and expertise by director Michael Wilson.
One of the real stars of the production is Jeff Cowie and David Barber's awe-inspiring set. The series of moving panels, lighted by Rui Rita with projections by Jan Hartley morphs into various locations and scene-changing vistas of skies, clouds, cities and other visual delights that help us travel with the family through time. The mood is enhanced by John Gromada's original music and sound design.
The cycle runs through Oct. 24 at Hartford Stage, then moves to partner Signature Theater Company in New York, where the production runs Nov. 5-March 6. The links to reviews of other parts of the cycle are once again: Part I . . . Part II
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The Orphans' Home Cycle: Part III By Horton Foote Directed by Michael Wilson Cast: Annalee Jeffries (Mrs. Boone, Corella Davenport), Dylan Riley Snyder, (Horace, Jr.), Virginia Kull (Bessie Stillman, Minnie Robedaux Curtis), Georgi James (Irma Sue), Maggie Lacey (Elizabeth Vaughn Robedaux), Justin Fuller (Dr. Greene), Jenny Dare Paulin (Lily Dale Kidder), Hallie Foote (Mrs.Vaughn, Lola Reeves), Bill Heck (Horace Robedaux), Devon Abner (Pete Davenport), Bryce Pinkham (Brother Vaughn), James DeMarse (Mr. Vaughn), Pamela Payton-Wright (Inez Thornton Kirby), Stephen Plunkett (Will Kidder), Pat Bowie (Woman in Cemetery, Nurse, Eliza), Gilbert Owuor (Sam Goldman), Henry Hodges (a boy), Justin Fuller (Gordon Kirby), Lucas Caleb Rooney (Lewis Higgins), Leon Addison Brown (Sylvester Malone), Jasmine Amii Harrison (Gertrude), Charles Turner (Walter) Scenic Design: Jeff Cowie and David Barber Projections Design: Jan Hartley Lighting Design: Rui Rita Original Music and Sound Design: John Gromada Costume Design: David C. Woolard Choreographer/Movement Director: Maxwell Williams Wig and Hair Design: Mark Adam Rampmeyer Fight Director: Mark Olsen Running time: 3 hours and 20 minutes with two 10-minute intermissions Hartford Stage, 50 Church St., Hartford Performances: Last marathon this Saturday. Visit http://www.hartfordstage.org/. Through 10/24/09-- before moving to New York Review by Lauren Yarger based on performance of Oct. 17, 2009 |
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South Pacific
In the Heights
Playbill 2007-08 Yearbook
Leonard Maltin's 2008 Movie Guide
