2008 Woodie Awards
'Crime' is a family affair
Students say morbid play is ironically funny.
Kathleen Kennedy
Issue date: 10/9/08 Section: City Style
Beth Henley's play "Crimes of The Heart" directed by Lauren Thompson, opened at the LAC theatre main stage on Thursday, Sep 25.
Set in 1974, the play tells the heartfelt story of three adult sisters who came together at their grandfather's home after one of them commits a terrible crime. The youngest sister, Babe, played by Catherine Josephine Doyle, had shot her husband claiming that she "didn't like his looks".
The play is a "black comedy." Though many of the themes were morbid and gloomy, Henley's wit-filled script enabled the audience to laugh through her characters' plight.
"I loved it," theatre major Cassi Paik said. "It was hysterical and very moving."
Kristi Daune Ames portrays the eldest sister, Lenny Magrath, who chooses to stay home and care for their grandfather, while her younger siblings leave home to make their way into the world. Even though Lenny is the eldest sister, having just celebrated her thirtieth birthday, she seemed the most na've and the least experienced with men.
Sarah Chaffin, who brought much of the comic relief to the show, played the persistent Chick Boyle, cousin to the Magrath sisters.
What could have possibly been a very annoying character, Chaffin's funny performance made her actually very lovable despite her nosy and overbearing attitude.
"Crimes of the Heart" marked the LBCC main stage debut for nearly the entire cast.
Director Thompson brought together many talented new faces while casting the show. Johnny Leota, who portrayed the kind Doc Porter, was very excited to take part in a main stage and to work with Thompson,
"Working with Lauren is great," Leota said. "She's so patient."
The set, designed by Daniel L. Wheeler, portrayed the cozy southern 1970s home that mainly viewed the kitchen, the back porch and the stair case to the second floor. The show was not played to the entire auditorium.
Instead, the chairs were brought onto the stage to create a more direct setting for audience members.
Having the audience closer allows it to see more detail, not only in the set but in the actors' expressions and draws them into the story.
At first the climax of the show seemed that it would have been tragic, but in the end the girls learn that what they needed was not an escape from their home and family, but that they needed one another to keep strong.
The last performance of "Crimes of the Heart" was on Oct 5. Immediate striking of the set began to make way for the upcoming Fall Dance Ensemble concert.
November's production of Dracula directed by Gregory Mortensen will take place in the LBCC theatre black box.
Set in 1974, the play tells the heartfelt story of three adult sisters who came together at their grandfather's home after one of them commits a terrible crime. The youngest sister, Babe, played by Catherine Josephine Doyle, had shot her husband claiming that she "didn't like his looks".
The play is a "black comedy." Though many of the themes were morbid and gloomy, Henley's wit-filled script enabled the audience to laugh through her characters' plight.
"I loved it," theatre major Cassi Paik said. "It was hysterical and very moving."
Kristi Daune Ames portrays the eldest sister, Lenny Magrath, who chooses to stay home and care for their grandfather, while her younger siblings leave home to make their way into the world. Even though Lenny is the eldest sister, having just celebrated her thirtieth birthday, she seemed the most na've and the least experienced with men.
Sarah Chaffin, who brought much of the comic relief to the show, played the persistent Chick Boyle, cousin to the Magrath sisters.
What could have possibly been a very annoying character, Chaffin's funny performance made her actually very lovable despite her nosy and overbearing attitude.
"Crimes of the Heart" marked the LBCC main stage debut for nearly the entire cast.
Director Thompson brought together many talented new faces while casting the show. Johnny Leota, who portrayed the kind Doc Porter, was very excited to take part in a main stage and to work with Thompson,
"Working with Lauren is great," Leota said. "She's so patient."
The set, designed by Daniel L. Wheeler, portrayed the cozy southern 1970s home that mainly viewed the kitchen, the back porch and the stair case to the second floor. The show was not played to the entire auditorium.
Instead, the chairs were brought onto the stage to create a more direct setting for audience members.
Having the audience closer allows it to see more detail, not only in the set but in the actors' expressions and draws them into the story.
At first the climax of the show seemed that it would have been tragic, but in the end the girls learn that what they needed was not an escape from their home and family, but that they needed one another to keep strong.
The last performance of "Crimes of the Heart" was on Oct 5. Immediate striking of the set began to make way for the upcoming Fall Dance Ensemble concert.
November's production of Dracula directed by Gregory Mortensen will take place in the LBCC theatre black box.
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