This is the cast of Pierce County High School's One Act Competition play, The Effects of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds, which Alison and I had the recent pleasure of attending a special showing. It was a sharp. well-edited 55 minute version of the Broadway play that was first performed some forty years ago. It won it's region here in the Southeast part of Georgia, and will soon be going to the State Tournament where I wish them all the best in the world. I have seen many productions in my life, but have rarely seen one with a such a brilliant ensemble cast. Kudos to the crew who helped this production run flawlessly.
Georgia one-act productions allows many bells and whistles. They could be competing against musicals, elaborate sets, larger casts, productions from much larger and better-financed programs. But I don't think that's going to matter. Because ultimately the theatre is about acting. Can the cast draw you into their world? Are they believable in the way they interact with each other? Does the story reach out to you and grab you in a way that moves you and makes you think? This play does that, as the small cast of five have learned one of the greatest secrets of theatre - that it's about not just actions but REACTIONS. It's seen in the moments when one young daughter reaches out to connect to her mother, and slowly fades away as she realizes the connection will not be made. It's seen in the mother's realization that she's trapped, going from complete despair to manic decision to do whatever it takes to break out. Or in a rebuffed daughter's desire to hurt her mother with the sharpest words she can muster.
Georgia one-act productions allows many bells and whistles. They could be competing against musicals, elaborate sets, larger casts, productions from much larger and better-financed programs. But I don't think that's going to matter. Because ultimately the theatre is about acting. Can the cast draw you into their world? Are they believable in the way they interact with each other? Does the story reach out to you and grab you in a way that moves you and makes you think? This play does that, as the small cast of five have learned one of the greatest secrets of theatre - that it's about not just actions but REACTIONS. It's seen in the moments when one young daughter reaches out to connect to her mother, and slowly fades away as she realizes the connection will not be made. It's seen in the mother's realization that she's trapped, going from complete despair to manic decision to do whatever it takes to break out. Or in a rebuffed daughter's desire to hurt her mother with the sharpest words she can muster.
I must also point out that none of this is possible without a superior drama teacher, Angela Manders. She has led them to four consecutive Regional wins. In my forty-plus years of theatre experience I have seen few who can draw so much of the potential out of students. Pierce County is truly blessed to have her, and she has made an indelible difference in the lives of the students who have come through her program.
It is strange. When I go to the movie theatre, I want to see splash and big effects and exciting, snappy stories. I love Star Wars and Indian Jones and Lord of the rings and all the melodramatic sturm und drang that the cinema can muster. Straight dramas with little flair bore me. I wonder why they're not on TV instead of the big screen.
Theatre, however, strikes me as the opposite. The flash and pyrotechnics leave me kinda cold and disinterested. But when an intimate drama is well-acted and I can see the characters react and grow, that to me is the epitome of the dramatic experience.
The Effects of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-moon Marigolds, as performed by the Pierce County Drama Group, represents that epitome.
To the State...and beyond!
It is strange. When I go to the movie theatre, I want to see splash and big effects and exciting, snappy stories. I love Star Wars and Indian Jones and Lord of the rings and all the melodramatic sturm und drang that the cinema can muster. Straight dramas with little flair bore me. I wonder why they're not on TV instead of the big screen.
Theatre, however, strikes me as the opposite. The flash and pyrotechnics leave me kinda cold and disinterested. But when an intimate drama is well-acted and I can see the characters react and grow, that to me is the epitome of the dramatic experience.
The Effects of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-moon Marigolds, as performed by the Pierce County Drama Group, represents that epitome.
To the State...and beyond!
UPDATE: This outstanding production did indeed win the state competition Saturday! It won against larger, more elaborate and expensive productions. In the end, however, talent will out. They blinded them with Science! And outstanding characterizations! Kudos to all involved!
Congratulations to the team! You are so right about theatre. It has such a draw for me both to perform and to watch. I love going to the movies but there is nothing like watching the curtain open to reveal the sets and waiting for the lights to come to see if the actors/actresses can transform you into their world.
ReplyDeleteYou are too kind! Thank you for all the encouragement and support! I will always be about the acting and not the "splash". It finally paid off.
ReplyDelete