SPIRIT LEVEL – Written by Pam Valentine; Directed by Paul Newman. Produced by Evergreen Players (Presented at Center Stage, 27888 Meadow Drive, Evergreen) through November 10. Tickets available at 720-525-1528 or evergreenplayers.org.
What an wonderful way to spend an afternoon or evening!! Most serious theatre companies – of which Evergreen Players is one – have a reading committee that spends their time investigating scripts to find the next great show for the company to perform. Whoever found this script and encouraged its production is to be congratulated. Ms. Valentine’s witty and poignant writing gave us everything we wanted in a drawing-room comedy – a clever story, crazy characters, great one-liners, and a message snuck in for good measure. At its heart, SPIRIT LEVEL is like the third act of OUR TOWN when the characters who have passed over realize how much of their time on Earth they wasted with foolish arguments and not paying attention to the beauty of life.
Jack and Susie Cameron (Dan Sares and Linda Swanson Brown) have drowned in a boating accident and have been refused entry into Heaven because Jack is a card-carrying atheist. They are stuck in limbo in their cottage . . . . until the estate agent (Gary Leigh-Webster) arrives with a young couple intent on renting the place. The agent has had some difficulty renting because of the machinations of the ghostly couple who want to keep the place to themselves. But Jack and Susie are charmed by this couple because Simon (David Speechley) is a would-be mystery writer and a great admirer of Jack’s successful career. Flic, his wife, (Tess Greenhaw) charms Susie when it is revealed that she is pregnant. Keep in mind that the audience members are the only ones who can see Jack and Susie even though they are constantly present and commenting on the action.
The discovery is made that Susie is a sort of medium and can transfer thoughts into the heads of all the characters. This allows her to help Jack mentor Simon in his attempt to finish his own book. She is also able to put thoughts in the minds of Flic and Flic’s overbearing mother in one of the funniest scenes you’ll ever see. Watching the naughty spew forth from the mouth of an uptight grouch (Julie Williamson) was hysterical. The ghostly couple also gets some advice on how to achieve Heaven from a deadpan Guardian Angel (Kathleen Davis) who talks to St. Peter on her cell phone. I don’t want to give away too much because watching this story unfold and how the characters learn from the happenings is the joy of the production. Suffice it to say that you will laugh uproariously and shed a tear or two during the evening. And you’ll be happy you found this delight.
All of the actors bring their A-game to their work on this show. So much rests on the very able shoulders of Dan and Linda as the not-quite-angelic couple. They must avoid bumping into the other actors in addition to moving the story along. Their realistic take on a loving but troubled couple is spot on. David and Tess, who are newly married and still excited about everything, provide a great contrast. Gary is delightful as the bewildered and spooked estate agent. Julie is one of the bravest actresses I’ve seen as she does a complete 180 on her character midway through the show in a daring scene of awakening. And Kathleen as the “nothing phases her” angel was amazing with her matter-of-fact delivery of heavenly lines.
Thanks to all who contributed to this sweet production. Director Paul Newman caught just the right attitude from his actors by understanding the humor and sweetness of the script. The costumes by Nealy Drew and the set by Biz Schaugaard provided just the right look for the production and avoided the cliche of putting wings on the Guardian Angel. But the Angel from the top of the Christmas tree played a crucial part in the story. Kathleen Davis (in addition to playing the pompous mother-in-law) and Nya Pruitt (also the Stage Manager) came up with a clever sound effect for the transfer of thought from one character to another while Tom Junker devised a lovely effect to end each scene in a halo of light. This is a team that came together under the guidance of Production Manager Marilyn Herrs to provide a touchingly sweet and funny afternoon/evening for their audiences.
A WOW factor of 9.00!!