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I made my first visit to the Southwest Rural Theatre Project to see “Dark of the Moon.” That play, written by Howard Richardson and William Berney, is a favorite of project founder Leslie Joy Coleman, who directed the production, designed the set plus some of the costumes, and plays a townsperson -often accompanied by her dog Bandit.
Coleman started the Southwest Rural Theatre Project last year; she writes, “Our goal is to enlighten, entertain and educate in communities that are not normally exposed to the arts.” Her energy is high and her aims high-minded, but the high road to mediocre theater is, alas, paved with high intentions.
“Dark of the Moon” is a strange play. It first took form 70 years ago as a class project at the University of Iowa. A few years later it had a run on Broadway, and it continues to turn up in community theater and school repertoires. Inspired by the folk song “The Ballad of Barbara Allen,” it is set in the Smoky Mountains and written in an Appalachian (a polite way of saying hillbilly) dialect.
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If you go WHAT: “Dark of the Moon” WHEN: 8 p.m. Fridays, 7 p.m. Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays through Oct. 28 WHERE: The Project, 5800 Kathryn SE HOW MUCH: $12 general public, $10 seniors and students, $8 children. Call 717-4494 for ticket information |
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While riding his eagle, a witch boy who calls himself John sees and sleeps with an attractive local girl named Barbara Allen. Smitten, John approaches elders in the witch community to turn him into a human so he can marry Barbara. He is offered humanity, but on the condition that Barbara is faithful to him for a full year.
John turns up in the town of Buck Creek and marries the pregnant Barbara. But folks don’t cotton to John’s witchy ways, especially his avoidance of church and Gawd Jesus. At a revival meeting violence ruins John’s hopes and he returns to his kind.
With a cast of 19 (and a dog) there is naturally a wide range of acting talent. Most of the players are townspeople who have precious little in their dialogue to help them stand out. I enjoyed Margie Maes and Daniel Cai as Barbara’s parents, Timothy J. Kupjack and Mike Lash as townies and Joel D. Miller as the Preacher.
As Barbara, Jessica Marie Osbourne lacks the seductive charisma her character is said to have. As John, however, Graham Gentz projects a creepy oddness that works well for his role. The set was detailed and effective, although it barely held all the actors in some scenes. And there were more actors than audience.
