REVIEW
Great Cast, Director Develop ‘The Curious Savage’ Into Night Of Fun
February 17, 2017 at 10:07 p.m.
By David [email protected]
The more the audience invests in the characters, the more they will enjoy the show.
And that’s exactly why the Center Street Community Theatre’s production of “The Curious Savage” is an entertaining play that you’ll want to check out this weekend or next: The 11-member cast brings their characters to life with fine performances.
The cast makes their characters believeable because of the way they carry themselves, the looks upon their faces when delivering lines, a simple gesture here and there and inflection. The well-chosen costumes add greatly to the show overall, as does the beautifully designed set.
Was this my most favorite play of all times? No, but I enjoyed it and think anyone who goes will have a nice time seeing what the characters will do next. Director Melissa Jordan executed her vision for the play well and I hope she continues to direct more shows for CSCT in the future.
A simple synopsis for the play is that Ethel Savage’s (Jennifer Mitchell Shepherd) husband died and left her with $10 million, which she put in non-negotiable bonds. Her wicked stepkids want the money so they commit her to a sanatorium in an attempt to get it from her. While in the sanatorium, Savage meets all the patients who, despite whatever their inner struggles might be, are some of the kindest people she’s ever encountered.
The stepchildren include a hated U.S. Senator named Titus (Eric Totheroh); a judge whose decisions are constantly overturned, Samuel (Todd Lucas); and a six-time married, money-hungry, spoiled brat, Lily Belle (Tara Akers).
Shepherd has been in and around theater for most of her life in one form or another. She’s appeared in Wagon Wheel Theatre professional productions, was the drama teacher at Warsaw Community High School and directed a few CSCT shows herself.
As the central figure in “The Curious Savage,” Shepherd does a memorable job of playing an older woman who has a bunch of tricks up her sleeve. When a smile crosses her face, you know Ms. Savage is up to something.
Totheroh, Lucas and Akers play the rotten adult children just as you’d hope. All three have been in previous CSCT productions, and every time they take the stage, it’s a treat for the audience. Akers especially cranks up the spoiled brat meter for her portrayal.
The patients at The Cloisters (the sanatorium), of course, are my favorite characters on the stage and that is because of the enormous talent the local actors have in their roles.
Fairy Mae (Madisson Heinl) is like a Looney Tunes character flying around the stage, while Jeff (Tanor Joy) is shy and quiet yet tragic. Mrs. Paddy (Cindy Nash) steals the show whenever she lists the things she hates – and she hates a lot of things – while Hannibal (Justin Weaver) uses the violin to deal with his anxiety and stress.
There’s also Florence (Emilie Judy), who carries a doll around, thinking it’s her lost child John Thomas. Judy plays Flo so innocently and sweetly, yet I keep thinking of all the horror movies I’ve seen where the doll comes to life and starts killing everyone. Chucky comes to mind. But Judy does a great job in the role.
Rounding out the show is Jay Rigdon as Dr. Emett and the nurse, Miss Willie (Aubrey McQuade). Toward the end of the show, Ms. Savage asks Willie why she sticks around. Her answer is a bit of a sweet surprise.
Overall, I enjoyed watching the final dress rehearsal Thursday night and think audiences should attend a show because it’s done as well as any other play in the area.
My rating (out of 4): 3.75.
Show times are 7:30 p.m. tonight, Saturday, Feb. 24 and 25 and 2 p.m. Sunday and Feb. 26. Tickets are $12 through the Wagon Wheel box office or online.
The more the audience invests in the characters, the more they will enjoy the show.
And that’s exactly why the Center Street Community Theatre’s production of “The Curious Savage” is an entertaining play that you’ll want to check out this weekend or next: The 11-member cast brings their characters to life with fine performances.
The cast makes their characters believeable because of the way they carry themselves, the looks upon their faces when delivering lines, a simple gesture here and there and inflection. The well-chosen costumes add greatly to the show overall, as does the beautifully designed set.
Was this my most favorite play of all times? No, but I enjoyed it and think anyone who goes will have a nice time seeing what the characters will do next. Director Melissa Jordan executed her vision for the play well and I hope she continues to direct more shows for CSCT in the future.
A simple synopsis for the play is that Ethel Savage’s (Jennifer Mitchell Shepherd) husband died and left her with $10 million, which she put in non-negotiable bonds. Her wicked stepkids want the money so they commit her to a sanatorium in an attempt to get it from her. While in the sanatorium, Savage meets all the patients who, despite whatever their inner struggles might be, are some of the kindest people she’s ever encountered.
The stepchildren include a hated U.S. Senator named Titus (Eric Totheroh); a judge whose decisions are constantly overturned, Samuel (Todd Lucas); and a six-time married, money-hungry, spoiled brat, Lily Belle (Tara Akers).
Shepherd has been in and around theater for most of her life in one form or another. She’s appeared in Wagon Wheel Theatre professional productions, was the drama teacher at Warsaw Community High School and directed a few CSCT shows herself.
As the central figure in “The Curious Savage,” Shepherd does a memorable job of playing an older woman who has a bunch of tricks up her sleeve. When a smile crosses her face, you know Ms. Savage is up to something.
Totheroh, Lucas and Akers play the rotten adult children just as you’d hope. All three have been in previous CSCT productions, and every time they take the stage, it’s a treat for the audience. Akers especially cranks up the spoiled brat meter for her portrayal.
The patients at The Cloisters (the sanatorium), of course, are my favorite characters on the stage and that is because of the enormous talent the local actors have in their roles.
Fairy Mae (Madisson Heinl) is like a Looney Tunes character flying around the stage, while Jeff (Tanor Joy) is shy and quiet yet tragic. Mrs. Paddy (Cindy Nash) steals the show whenever she lists the things she hates – and she hates a lot of things – while Hannibal (Justin Weaver) uses the violin to deal with his anxiety and stress.
There’s also Florence (Emilie Judy), who carries a doll around, thinking it’s her lost child John Thomas. Judy plays Flo so innocently and sweetly, yet I keep thinking of all the horror movies I’ve seen where the doll comes to life and starts killing everyone. Chucky comes to mind. But Judy does a great job in the role.
Rounding out the show is Jay Rigdon as Dr. Emett and the nurse, Miss Willie (Aubrey McQuade). Toward the end of the show, Ms. Savage asks Willie why she sticks around. Her answer is a bit of a sweet surprise.
Overall, I enjoyed watching the final dress rehearsal Thursday night and think audiences should attend a show because it’s done as well as any other play in the area.
My rating (out of 4): 3.75.
Show times are 7:30 p.m. tonight, Saturday, Feb. 24 and 25 and 2 p.m. Sunday and Feb. 26. Tickets are $12 through the Wagon Wheel box office or online.
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