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Health & Fitness

'Blind Date' and 'The Actor' - My Review

Two wonderful plays by Horton Foote open the season at The Gary-The Olivia Theater in Bethlehem.

The Gary-The Olivia Theater is tucked away on the grounds of the Abbey of Regina Laudis in Bethlehem CT.  Since hearing great things about the production of Fiorello that was presented there last year, I very much wanted to check out this outdoor theater. I had my chance to experience this beautiful space when the resident Clay & Wattles theater company opened their 2014 season with Horton Foote's Blind Date and The Actor.

Built in 1982 through the generous support of donors spearheaded by Oscar winning actress Patricia Neal, this is a unique roofed, open-air theater that seats 300 people. The Gary in the name of the theater honors Gary Cooper and the Olivia refers to Ms. Neal's daughter. The audience is surrounded by untouched countryside as they sit under a roofed area with sides that are open to the surrounding woods. The ground beneath the huge roof is covered with crunchy stones and a volunteer sprayed bug spray around the space before the sun went down. Folding chairs are set up with a middle aisle and cushions are available for added comfort. I was able to choose my complimentary seat for this exciting opening night.

Professional and serious theater students come together to perform at this theater in little Bethlehem, as the nuns of the abbey continue their work around them. Auditions are held each year and actors from the local community theater network, local colleges and universities and from Actor’s Equity audition for roles in the various productions. Between 3,500-4,500 theatergoers attend performances each season, which continues with the musical Annie Get Your Gun.

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This evening of one act plays written by the award winning American Playwright Horton Foote. Mr. Foote is perhaps best known for his adapted screenplay of To Kill a Mockingbird and his original screenplay Tender Mercies, both of which earned him an Oscar. He also wrote plays for live television dramas during the Golden Age of Television. The playwright has a long association with the state of Connecticut and actually passed away in Hartford in 2009 while working with Hartford Stage on one of his plays.

One of the Artistic Directors, Sally Kamm, called Mr. Foote "a painter of words" and noted that the works are not prescribed, but can be interpreted in many ways. She directed both plays with the help of her assistant Katie Keough. The magnificent sets were designed by Matt Wood, who also painted the huge mural which was beautifully lit by Br. Kevin McElroy. The few sound issues were quickly corrected by Justin Cain.

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These two well-written comedies are about people in the fictional small town of Harrison TX in 1930 but are very different. Blind Date is a light comedy about an aunt who tries to arrange a well, blind date for her visiting and very uncooperative niece with a local young man. The cast is rounded out with the aunt's henpecked husband, played to perfection by local actor John Fabiani. What this man can do with a single look is always enjoyable to watch. Community theater actress Beth Steinberg reminded me during intermission that coincidentally Mr. Fabiani recently directed a fun piece at the Phoenix Stage Company by New York playwright Donna Spector entitled Blind Date

The rest of this cast were just as good. Kelly Mehiel was a joy as the fluttery but well-meaning former beauty queen Dolores Henry. Erik Bloomquist played the would-be suitor Felix to the lovely Victoria Teague in the role of the young and feisty Sarah Nancy. This is a young actress to watch. Joe Stofko in a cowboy hat served as a Southern narrator for both of the plays.

During this first play, we in the audience began to hear impossibly long rolling thunder that I at first thought was part of the play. When real lightening flashed, we realized that it was an actual incoming storm and despite the heavy rains that followed, everyone under the covered area remained safe and dry. There were several well-behaved children in the audience that rode out the storm along with the older members of the attendees.

After an impressive reception during the half hour intermission featuring wine and locally made cheeses, the second play began at exactly 9:00pm. The Actor was a longer, more involved production featuring Mr. Bloomquist in the title role. Here was where this talented young actor was able to shine as Horace Robedaux Jr. The first scene of this piece was essentially a monologue that he carried off with aplomb. His mother Elizabeth was played by Catherine Annuli and Horace Sr. was played by the company's other Artistic Director, Thomas Camm. Alexandra Camm appeared with Vikki Thomas as Girl #2 and Girl #1 respectively. Young Nico Apicella appeared as the family's youngest son Jim. Ms. Teague returned to the stage in the role of the younger Horace's drama teacher Miss Prather. I enjoyed this touching and funny piece that told the story of young man bitten by the acting bug who'll do what it takes to keep his dream of a theatrical career alive. This performance of Mr. Bloomquist was the highlight of the evening.

Some practical notes: The bugs were not as bad as I expected. They hovered near the newly purchased lights of course and flew near the actors once the sun went down. I brought along my own bug spray and came home without a single bite. Next time I will bring along a flashlight to help guide me along the path back to the parking lot, for the light of my cell was insufficient on this rainy night.

The company dedicates this production to their many volunteers and especially their Board of Directors, one of whom was seated behind me. Everyone with whom  I interacted was especially gracious. They also expressed their gratitude to the community of Regina Laudis for their stewardship of the Abbey land and "contemplative presence [that] offer the stability and space that made possible and vital our ever-new exploration of the human condition through the medium of The Gary-The Olivia Theater." I look forward to returning to this theatrical gem in the middle of nowhere in nearby Bethlehem. If you are traveling away from nearby Eagle Electric on Flanders Road (which has a full-page ad in the program,) take the first driveway of the Abbey.

The 2014 Season at The Gary-the Olivia Performing Arts Center starts with an evening of one act plays written by American Playwright Horton Foote. Blind Date and The Actor will be performed on June 14, 20, 21 at 7:30 pm and June 15 and 22 at 2:30 pm. Tickets are $20

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