#alabamastory

[mattmciver]

The story of two rabbits who hopped out of a children’s picture book and into the real world...#AlabamaStory #KennethJones @iowastage #dsmusa #ScripteaseISTC (at Kum & Go Theater) https://www.instagram.com/p/BrjM-D1AujqcZ8liYX1hp6u3O2r1grJvtxLBYU0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=yb62w5jyrk8i

[brothermarc7theatre]

"Alabama Story" show #701

In its West Coast premiere at City Lights Theatre Company, Kenneth Jones’ captivating play, Alabama Story, is a theatrical treat for audiences of all interests. This buffet of drama serves up genres of romance, literature, history, comedy, racism, law, and life application. Lisa Mallette’s tender direction highlights a cast that knows how to not just tell the story, but to give it life, relevance, and depth. The story of Emily Reed’s triumphant bravery in keeping a book available for her library patrons is a harrowing journey that is surprisingly fully-realized in this dramatization of an historical event in American literature. The breaking of the fourth wall allows for audiences to connect with and cheer for the characters stepping on the right side of history, while still feeling for those whose views may be a bit more close-minded. Alabama Story is done justice in its City Lights staging.

(Karen DeHart (Emily); Photo credit: Taylor Sanders)

Karen DeHart delivers an outstanding performance as the heroine of the story, Emily Reed. Miss DeHart’s passionate Emily is complemented with an understated tenacity when encountering Emily’s assistant, Thomas, and her rival, Senator Higgins. Miss DeHart’s eloquent delivery of Emily’s several testimonies and speeches matches her up-and-down confidence in suddenly being the center of national attention. Jeremy Ryan gives a charming performance as the bookish, ever-devoted Thomas Franklin. Mr. Ryan’s portrayal of Emily’s right hand man has a bounciness and lovely relatability to it, making Thomas a character to constantly root for. Mr. Ryan shines in his scarring monologue about his former boss, explaining why the book in question, The Rabbit’s Wedding, holds a huge place in his heart and mind.

(Karen DeHart (Emily), sitting-Steve Lambert (pictured as Representative Bobby Crone), Erik Gandolfi (Senator Higgins); Photo credit: Taylor Sanders)

Steve Lambert is a gravitational Garth Williams, narrating the themes and exposition of the play extremely well and in very good cadence. Mr. Lambert plays a slew of town folk and Representative Bobby Crone with diverse physicality and dialect, making him a leading performer of genuine enjoyment. Erik Gandolfi is a fiery Senator Higgins, evincing mastery of the booming Alabama dialect, demeaning chuckle, and well-crafted mannerisms. Mr. Gandolfi and Miss DeHart deliver many moments of intense connection, whether in an argument or a forgiving gesture to neatly wrap up their plot of the play.

(Maria Giere Marquis (Lily) and Bezachin Jifar (Joshua); Photo credit: Taylor Sanders)

Maria Giere Marquis and Bezachin Jifar are the B-plot love story, Lily and Joshua, respectively. Their journey and subdued romance serves as a privatized story representing the events going on between Reed and Senator Higgins. Both Miss Marquis and Mr. Jifar play the long game with their story, executing the 1959 demeanor of an African-American man and privileged White lady with smooth transition into two young adults who shared an unfortunate kiss in their younger days.

Ron Gasparinetti’s excellent scenic design is pleasantly littered with screens with images of books, skyline, a building, etc., all which serve as a fluid transition between locales. Mia Kumamoto’s moody lighting design is superb in focusing the intimate attention between Lily and Joshua, and heightening the politely volatile tension between Reed and Higgins. Miss Mallette’s wonderfully varied blocking of the scenes makes great use of the set and lighting elements, as well as serving Mr. Jones’ script extremely well. Alabama Story is a pure, passionate, and wonderful play that has a stellar team and cast delivering its message to Bay Area audiences. The freedom to read, write, and create are always at stake, in one way or another, and Alabama Story addresses this vital issue in a most compelling way. 

Details:

Alabama Story runs through February 18th

City Lights Theatre Company in San Jose

www.cltc.org

[damsamiam-handmade]

This one's for Danny, who plays Thomas in #fstalabamastory. These two pieces of his costume were so perfect to him, but they didn't define him, as proved by his passionate speech to Emily. #alabamastory #fst #watercolor #glasses #bowtie #painting #instaart #instaartist #dictionary #costumes (at Sarasota, Florida)

[damsamiam-handmade]

This little painting was for Jean, who plays Emily. She starts off the show off with her witty speech about her love and appreciation for the granite buildings she works in and around (even when they turn against her.) #fstalabamastory #alabamastory #watercolor #painting #dictionary #granite #marble #columns #instaart #instaartist (at Sarasota, Florida)

[damsamiam-handmade]

I can finally share what I've been working so hard on! I made little 3x3 canvases for each of the cast members in #fstalabamastory and gave them out yesterday on my lastday on the show. Each one was aimed towards the character that the actor was playing. This was for rachel who plays Lily who sits under an old magnolia tree. I managed to find silk in my limited dictionary to represent the beautifulsilk dress she wears #watercolor #painting #fst #alabamastory #lily #magnolia #flowers #dictionary #instaart #instaartist #silk