Thursday, May 7, 2009

Theater review part deux: Sarah, Plain and Tall

By Rick A. Elina of North Dallas Gazette

Dallas Theater Center ends its 2008-2009 season with the world premiere of Sarah, Plain and Tall. This marks the final production of its last full season in the historic Kalita Humphreys Theatre designed by famed architect, Frank Lloyd Wright. Expanded to a full length musical, Sarah, Plain and Tall is based on the award-winning novella by Patricia MacLachlan, and is directed by Joe Calarco. Think Little House on the Prairie meets Oklahoma!.

The story opens with Sarah Wheaton (Becca Ayers) a free-spirited young fisherwoman from Maine and her weak-willed brother William (Kenneth Boys) as he’s about to marry the shallow, over-indulged Estelle (Kate Loprest). Finding her honeymoon love nest a bit too crowded, Estelle cajoles William to convince Sarah to answer a personal ad placed by a widowed Kansas farmer. The farmer, Jacob Witting (Herndon Lackey) is looking for a new wife as well as a surrogate mother for his two children.

After arriving on Jacob’s farm, Sarah soon discovers that Maine is a long way from Kansas, and not just geographically speaking. Her days spent fishing are all but over since the closest shoreline happens to be the one that surrounds the muddy pond where the cattle bathe. Though Sarah is undeterred, Jacob begins to wonder if luring this fish out of water was such a good idea. Jacob’s children, Anna and Caleb, are divided over their new guest. Caleb (Max Ary) immediately takes to Sarah and becomes her staunchest supporter, whereas Anna (Kate Wetherhead) does not cotton to the idea of someone replacing her deceased mother. While Anna continues to grieve for her mother, she harbors anger towards her father and resentment towards her brother. Since her character lugs most of the emotional baggage of the play, Ms. Wetherhead must perform the length and breadth of the acting spectrum, and she does so brilliantly. Maintaining a mood that is heartwarming rather than heartbreaking testifies to her skill as an actor and to Mr. Calarco’s ability as a director.

As the title character, Ms. Ayers is a singing and dancing dynamo whose onstage persona perfectly exemplifies the liberated spirit of her plain and tall character. At times, she resembles the great Katherine Hepburn. Or does she resemble Cate Blanchett resembling the great Katherine Hepburn? Regardless, Ms. Ayers is an extremely gifted and talented actor with a formidable stage presence.

Perfectly cast as Jacob, Mr. Lackey’s rich baritone voice greatly complements his character’s rugged pioneer spirit. In one particular duet with Ms. Ayers, it becomes quite clear that the beauty of their chemistry is highlighted by the contrast of their personalities. Imagine juxtaposing the furrows of a freshly plowed Kansas field against the deep blue waters of a Maine harbor.

The innovative set, by Tony Award® nominated set designer, Anna Louizos, brilliantly captures the essence of both Maine and Kansas, not an easy task to accomplish.

Sarah, Plain and Tall is a moving story about family, love and hope that confirms the age-old axiom that home is truly where the heart is. This show is fun and entertaining for the entire family.

Sarah, Plain and Tall, presented by Dallas Theatre Center, runs through May 24, 2009 at the Kalita Humphreys Theatre. Visit DallasTheaterCenter.org or call 214.522.8499 for more details or to purchase tickets.

Rick A. Elina is a playwright and the theatre critic for the North Dallas Gazette.

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