An Evening of lighthearted ‘Culture’

By BOBBIE GREEN

The Progress

The Virgin Valley Community Theater opened on Friday night, May 13, with a presentation of An Evening of Culture by Mark Landon Smith.

An audience member believing he/she is going to get a taste of refinement and learn a bit about Shakespeare, will be quite disappointed in this madcap piece. Instead, the audience is exposed to the trials and tribulations of producing a play. They see first hand of the many things that can and do sometimes go wrong, in this play within a play of the iconic Romeo and Juliet.

This is a comic production of modern-day cast members in a small town trying to put on a play of this Shakespearean classic. Most cast members played two roles. Their modern-day character and their Shakespeare character.

The play itself is a rather silly “almost adaptation” of Romeo and Juliet. The acting ability of the cast to portray the zany characters left nothing to be desired.

Joy Craig plays dual parts of the modern day loud-of-mouth leading lady, Mildred Carson; and a not-so-young Juliet. The two characters were superbly portrayed by Craig.
“This is my chance to play the dying scene I have always wanted to do,” said Craig.
Craig’s characters carries both the shows.
The medieval costumes alone will make you laugh.

Chad Calmelat did a fine job of playing the dense Bubba Bedford and Romeo. There were clever one-liners but you must listen closely not to miss them.

Nancy Arnold slipped right into her role as Juliet’s mother Naomi Farkle Carson. She is funny and distraught at the same time. Her second act hat may well be the most unforgettable part of the play.
Reenie McFarland made her stage debut in Mesquite. She played the role of the stage announcer with conviction. I am sure we will see her again.

The loveable handy man Delbert Fink was portrayed by William Wright, Jr. Delbert’s job is to see everything on the stage is safe even in the middle of the live audience performance.
The whacky-style comedy may have a limited appeal for some. But if you enjoy the zany and frivolous, this is for you.

Director Robert Craig has a Master of Arts in Directing from California State University Fullerton. He has been involved with theater for forty years.
“This is meant to be a fun and silly production,” Craig said.

An Evening of Culture will continue to play on Friday May 20 at 7 PM. Saturday May 21 at 2 PM and Sunday May 22 at 2 PM.