Dick Kerekes & Leisla Sansom
![11150686_10153359932334974_1712651328467962306_n[1]](http://folioweekly.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/11150686_10153359932334974_1712651328467962306_n1.jpg)
ATLANTIC BEACH EXPERIMENTAL THEATRE REVIEW
ABET opened Evan Smith’s religious comedy on May 8, 2015 for a four-weekend run, through May 24. The theatre is located at 715 Ocean Boulevard in Atlantic Beach, Florida; call 249-7177 or visit ABET Theatre.com for tickets and additional information.
Disagreements, disputes, and debates about religious beliefs have existed since the beginning of history; public debates about theological truths that began during medieval times were referred to as “disputations.” Currently, the USA has over nine hundred denominations of Protestants alone, and with freedom of religion and speech, we can anticipate that disputes will continue for the foreseeable future.
Religious differences as the subject of theatrical comedy are nothing new. Most recently, the award-winning musical “The Book of Mormon” came to Jacksonville on tour. In Smith’s play, we have a humorous look at a verbal battle about differing viewpoints
This play is set is Savannah, Georgia and opens with an attractive young woman ringing the doorbell of a modest home, and asking the older woman who answers “Have you been saved?”
Mary, a devout Catholic, immediately sends her away, telling her to never return, as she will call the police if she does. Melissa, a determined missionary from an evangelical church does return: this time Margaret, Mary’s sister, answers the door. Margaret, who is more kindly than her virago of a sister, accepts a pamphlet offered by Melissa, and agrees to discussion on another day. She is also less certain of the absolute truth of the tenets of her faith, as she is intrigued by the prospect of being reunited with her earthly body in a new and improved form after death, and remaining on earth during the afterlife.
When Melissa returns as Margaret’s invited guest, she and Mary go at it, pointing out the many perceived errors in the teachings of the other’s church, while defending the validity of their own beliefs and practices. Mary decides to fight fire with fire and invites the young proselytizer back for dinner on Thursday, when Father Murphy, the parish priest, will be making his usual weekly visit.
In Act II, we find that Father Murphy is fully capable of matching wits with Melissa and they keep the religious zingers flying in the presence of the two sisters.
The play is directed by Lee Hamby with Rhodie Jackson as Assistant Director and the casting could not have been any better.
As Mary, Laura Peden is outstanding, playing the role with energetic dissatisfaction and a prickly charisma. Ms. Peden is well known in local theatre circles as a musical director and keyboard player, but this is her first time as an actress. She is simply marvelous and we loved her soul-baring monologue in Act II.
Greta Russe as Margaret gives a convincing portrayal of a docile spinster who becomes uncharacteristically interested in new ideas as she faces future uncertainties. Not a stranger to religious plays, she previously appeared as Mother Superior in “Nunsense” at ABET.
You are going to love Kelby Siddons as the bleached-blonde crusader, who dresses like a Barbie doll. Miss Siddons is multi-talented, a playwright, director, actor, and educator. She previously appeared at ABET as Stella in Tennessee Williams’ “A Streetcar Named Desire,” and at Players by the Sea as Queen Victoria in “Gross Indecency.”
Allen Morton as Father Murphy has an impressive local resume of comic and dramatic roles at several venues in the North Florida area. He gives a splendid performance as the laid-back priest who, after at first listening quietly to Melissa’s evangelical assertions, astonishes everyone with his scholarly knowledge and authoritative interpretation of scripture.
One of the stars of this show is the remarkable set depicting the comfortable home of the sisters, with its remarkable collection of knickknacks, paintings, and photographs. The set was designed and decorated by cast member Mr. Morton, who undoubtedly will need to rent a large U-Haul truck to handle striking the set.
The Savannah Disputation Production Team included: Stage Manager-Janelle M. Rosko Jones; Light Board Operator-Melanie Arden; Costume Design-Lee Hamby; Lighting/Sound Design Bryan Frank.
Regardless of your religious inclination, you will enjoy this play, especially if you appreciate good acting, which this delightful quartet of actors delivers non-stop for two hours.
Follow FOLIO!