| Music, Laughter, Tears, and More Make This "Quilt" | | Print | |
| Written by David Springstead | |
| Tuesday, 14 November 2006 | |
 The Little Theatre of Virginia Beach has to be one of the most interesting performance spaces I have ever seen. What can only be called "theatre in the corner" makes for a unique view for the audience, and most probably a nightmare for a scenic designer. But it is in this intimate setting (a black box theatre that has white walls) that we are given the musical Quilters by MOLLY NEWMAN and BARBARA DAMASHEK, with music and lyrics by the latter. Under the directing and choreographic skills of KAREN BUCHHEIM, this show takes us through the westward expansion of the late 1800's as seen by the women (rather than men) pioneers of the time. 
Perhaps the only
thing I could find fault with was that there were no director's notes
in the program. And while the actors (7 women) are listed by character
names, they are truly playing everyman, uh- woman. The various
characters they portray in each "block" (rather than scene) show us a
different facet of those brave people in very trying and dangerous
times. The blocks are presented as another piece of the quilt in
production. For the pieces shown are an allegory for the lives of
those persons who make up the quilt of life, being passed down from
generation to generation to generation. An allegorical musical this
one is, and it's damned good. The actors regularly break the 4th
"corner" and speak directly to the audience. And they suck you into
the show in spite of yourself.The music is good although at times fairly simple in construction, and the choreography works well in the space. Each woman has the chance to shine which is one of the best things about this show. They are an ensemble. No one person shines brighter or stands above the other. Their devotion to the integrity of this production, and to each other, is encouraging to see.
The company (in alphabetical order) are: KIM BREEDING, KAY BURCHER, MAURIA GANTHER, SUZANNE GENZ, KATHY HINSON, ROBIN MARTINEAU, and JACQUIE WALTERS. Thank you for a wonderful theatre experience. These ladies should be proud of this show, and their work in it. It made me proud to be an ancestor of the people we had watched this evening for two hours and fifteen minutes. I made it a point to stay after for a short time to thank several of them for their performances, the fact that they had an opening night reception had nothing to do with my staying. But the shrimp were great! Quilters continues through December 3, and tickets may be reserved by calling 428-9233. Saturday, November 18th will be an Interpreted Performance for the Hearing-Impaired. |
This is a
"dream cast" that any director would love to have. 