ALABAMA STORY – Written by Kenneth Jones; Directed by Melissa Lucero McCarl. Produced by Firehouse Theater Company (Presented at the John Hand Theater, 7653 East First Place, Denver) through October 26. Tickets available at 303-562-3232 or firehousetheater.com.
Everyone has a personal relationship with books. You can’t escape them. As a child, you are taught to read by being read to; as a student, by schoolbooks that open your world, even comic books that entertain; as an adult, by textbooks that create specificity in your life in fields as diverse as cooking to brain surgery. In my own life, I’ve always treasured tomes that challenged me to solve something, gave me answers, or made me laugh. I acknowledge that there are books I could never have read, but I have enjoyed by listening to the works of Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, Oscar Wilde, and Thomas Hardy, for example, through Books on Tape (discs now actually). The Denver Public Library system sorely dismayed me recently by taking their collection of recorded books out of circulation without asking my permission!!
So, you know that a play about saving and honoring books will appeal. This one brings both purpose and laughs. The story telling is rolled in grits and baked in charm. It’s two story lines intertwine like magnolias on a garden trellis – made even more lovely by the fact that one is based on a true story.
Evelyn Reed, who was actually the State Librarian of Alabama in the 50’s, was charged with keeping the libraries well stocked and well managed. Martha Harmon Pardee is a brilliant actress who only chooses special projects to perform every year or so. In this, she has become Ms. Reed’s buttoned-up self, calm, unflappable, self-confident, not likely to suffer fools. But also, ready to admit when she’s made a mistake; a caring individual.
Matt Hindmarch, playing against his own personality, takes on the role of Senator E.W. Higgins, a composite character created by the playwright. He’s a Senator in the State Legislature who has strong opinions about and treasures everything South (with a capital S). In the 1950’s, that invites unpleasant tirades regarding race relations, censorship, and white power. He’s not an evil man, just the product of a long line of Southern gentlemen . . . and plantation owners. His racism is inbred and without thought. And sincere. He has succeeded in the world just as it is and sees no need to change the boundaries.
In a secondary plot line, two people who were childhood friends reconnect as adults. Their early friendship was cut short by racism about 30 years earlier. They now find it easy to fall back into a comfortable reminiscing friendship. While Ms. Reed and Senator Higgins reflect what was at this time in history (1959 – four years after Rosa Parks refused to sit in the back of the bus), Joshua (Jysten Atom) and Lilly (Elicia Hesselgrave) show what it could be in the future – understanding, forgiving, thoughtful, and kind. Both give touching performances.
These characters are supported by the hyper-efficient library assistant Thomas. Cal Meakins is a comic foil and a faithful friend, well above the role of assistant librarian to Ms. Reed. Cal bring a shyness and subservient air to his role that, under Ms. Reed’s tutelage, morphs into a confident and competent Head Librarian. Jeff Jesmer is an everyman character, starting as the Narrator Garth Williams, the author of the children’s book that dared to memorialize the wedding of a Black bunny and a White bunny. But he also slides into other roles to move the narrative forward. Especially meaningful is his turn as an older Senator who sees the writing on the wall (“It’s coming, E.W.”) and encourages the senator to choose his battles carefully. Jeff has such a natural charm and place on any stage that he infuses his times on stage as though he’s sharing a joke with the audience.
The six of them tell a story bigger than any of them. A story that should be in our past; that, unfortunately, is not. There are libraries in this country that will not put TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD or HUCKLEBERRY FINN on their shelves. Our mantra today is “Read for Your Rights.”
The set built and painted by Jeff Jesmer and Megan Davis supplies a corner of the library, an outside park, and generic neutral space for everything else. the lighting design by Emily Maddox keeps the areas both separated and highlighted. Melissa McCarl brings her own brand of loving care to this important story, finding both the solemnity and the humor in this delicate situation.
A WOW factor of 9!!