I am thrilled to be back in my reviewer’s chair, probably for the only show that is still happening this month. We just experienced Williamston Theatre’s video answer to the Covid-quarantine-theatres-closed challenge!
Thanks to the creative cooperation of Actor’s Equity, and representatives of the playwright Eric Coble, filmmaker Andy Kirshner has worked with John Lepard and the actors and director, Paige Conway, to bring These Mortal Hosts to our home computer screens — virus-free.
The script is well described as "A riveting exploration of faith and community in small-town America.“
Mark Colson, Anna Ryzenga and Emily Sutton-Smith portray three strangers in Dove Creek, Colorado, brought together by the intriguing “Mysteries” that are… alien/angelic/madness/salvation?
Mark Colson is folksy as the local butcher, Earl. I’m sure his performance would have generated more than a few chuckles, had a live audience been present. Actually, each character is warmly sprinkled with humor at the beginning. Anna Ryzenga is Meaghan the quintessential high school girl soon transformed and guided by the Voice… and Emily Sutton-Smith is Phyllis the businesslike banker who has given up on love, or has she?
But these three amusing monologues soon evolve and connect into more of a thriller than a comedy. We are drawn into these characters as Something Else is drawn into them, too. As with most plays, you don’t want to know too much ahead of time; this is a Mid Michigan Premiere, so new to most audiences. Bring along your Christian references, be prepared for some “adult language” and … let go and have faith. (I can imagine a sequel to this play…)
This version is a little fancier than even the exemplary Matt Ottinger stage-play videos (best you can do with one camera at a “live” show.) Andy Kirshner has edited shots from two different runs and selected scenes were filmed separately, with color correcting, adjusting sound throughout between the two boom mics and three personal mics, and adding things like credits and music and such.
SO: you just go to the website http://www.williamstontheatre.org and buy a virtual ticket to a specific show (that’s just the way the website works; you can watch the video any time within two weeks from the “date” you have purchased.) You will receive an email with a web link and a password. It all worked fine for us; if you have trouble you can contact Chris Purchis at mailto:chris@williamstontheatre.org and she will get back to you as quickly as possible.