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THEATER
December
30, 2004
There is no new Theater story this week.
"The
Homecoming"
December
23, 2004
By
Peggy Isham
Jonah Lipsky (left), Terry Zaroff-Evans, and
Linda Berg in a scene from the Vineyard Playhouse production
of "The Homecoming." Photos by Ralph Stewart
Marcus Lee Hopkins and Sarah Swift as
Joseph and Mary with the Rev. Dooly, played by Jamie Harris.
Tony Omer plays Sheriff Ep Bridges and Matthew
Hobart is Charlie Sneed in the Christopher Sergel play, "The
Homecoming." |
For anyone who
wants a major dose of holiday cheer, an essential first step would
be to hurry on over to the Vineyard Playhouse. A talented group
of local actors is there to delight their audience with a production
of Earl Hamner Jr.’s “The Homecoming.” The story
was the inspiration for the long-running television show, “The
Waltons.”
The simple tale centers on the Spencer family, whose members are
struggling to keep things together during the Depression. The father
of the family, played by Christopher Kann, is late returning home
on Christmas Eve. His journey involves a long bus ride, followed
by a walk through the snow and ice over Spencer Mountain, and his
wife, Olivia (Lianna Loughman) is worried about his delay. Trying
not to let her family know how upset she is, she turns to her oldest
son, Clay-Boy, for support and assistance.
Clay-Boy, played by Jonah Lipsky, is in that wonderful stage of
life when he can still be a child yet is almost a man. As he steps
in and out of scenes, providing narration and insight into the family
dynamics, Clay-boy lets the audience in on his own struggles. He
is trying to understand his father, who does not seem to relate
to Clay-Boy’s deep desire to become a writer.
As Olivia peers anxiously out her window into the snow drifts, her
family of eight children is all around her, arguing, laughing, helping
one another and fussing with their coats and mittens each time they
go out into the snow. The mismatched chairs, the simple kitchen
and the music from the radio remind us of a gentler time.
As Clay-Boy wanders through his village searching for any sign of
his father in the wintry night, he encounters an assortment of local
characters. Each one gives him a bit more insight about his father,
telling him stories or indicating what his father might do in certain
situations. As the son looks for the father, he learns more about
him through the observations of his neighbors.
We meet the two spinsters who follow on in the family tradition
by making their papa’s “recipe” which Clay-Boy gets
to sample. We sing with the local Baptist preacher, played with
great strength by Jamie Harris. We learn about a character named
Bird-Shot (Max Martin), and how he got his unique name. And we laugh
with Charlie Sneed (Matthew Hobart) who gets in trouble with the
law yet manages to remain a lovable character.
Playing the parents, Christopher Kann and Lianna Loughman have a
lovely chemistry together. Playhouse veterans Paul Munafo, Terry
Zaroff-Evans, Linda Berg, and Tony Omer all have small roles, but
their powerful, humorous performances provide for a lot of laughs.
Each of the younger children has a strong personality, particularly
Becky, the oldest daughter. Nora Karasik infuses the character with
just the right amount of teenage angst. She chafes against her family,
particularly her mother, and Ms. Karasik’s strong performance
shows an impressive understanding of the complex emotions of a young
adolescent.
In the lead role, Jonah Lipsky is tender and thoughtful. He plays
the part with a delicate balance of humor and sensitivity. As he
manages to help his mother, supervise his siblings, search for his
father, and make polite conversation with his neighbors on the mountainside,
he reminds us of what is important at this time of year; the love
and affection of one’s family and friends.
The Vineyard Playhouse continues to provide a strong venue for young
local actors who commit to a time-consuming theatrical project.
These blooming actors, local elementary and high school students,
do a wonderful job with their roles as they play in the snow, think
about Christmas and interact with one another. This is ensemble
acting at its best. “The Homecoming” runs Dec. 17, 18,
19, 21, 22, 23. Curtain time 7 pm, except Sunday, Dec. 19, which
is 4 pm. Tickets are $17.50; $15 seniors and students; $12.50 children
under 18. 508-696-6300.
Peggy Isham is a teacher who occasionally writes for The Times.
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