playbill vip

Notes from the Director 

My first experience with the Seneca Community Players was playing the role of Bo in BUS STOP in 1978 (I was 18…go ahead…do the math…I’ll wait). The next year I served as technical director for their 5-show summer season at the then Eisenhower College Delevan Theatre. I went on to direct GODSPELL, THE GLASS MENEGERIE AND DEATH OF A SALESMAN for the group. After almost 30 years, I’m thrilled to be back directing this unique production of SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY.

When Edgar Lee Masters’ book of poems was published 1914 it caused quite a stir because of the way it subverted our view of what rural American life looked like. It certainly didn’t depict the Norman Rockwell, Andy Griffith (I know these references are a little later but you get the idea) vision of what life was like in 19th Century Illinois but then…these people, these poets pouring their hearts and their stories out to us, were dead. They had nothing to lose. They were bound to tell the truth and let you, the audience, in on the secret lives of the common folk living in Spoon River. So that’s what they are doing…speaking their truths…or at least their truths as they see them, since they do contradict each other now and then.

Those in the Spoon River region of Illinois had the strongest objections to the book since many of the characters could be readily identified if you knew the town and its inhabitants. It was banned by the Lewiston Library Board on which Masters’ own mother was a sitting member! Despite this, it was a critical and commercial success, receiving glowing reviews from the likes of Carl Sandburg and Ezra Pound.

The actors in this production come from various areas around the Northeast United States, all calling into Skype from their chosen cemeteries. The call is then managed by my wonderful (I’m biased) screen manager Kate, who then weaves the calls along with the prerecorded bits of songs and group pieces into the production you will see tonight. It’s a technological feat that we have practiced and rehearsed and come close to mastering. Let’s hope that we don’t have to do too many more of these before we are back in a nice comfy theatre with lights and sound and backstage areas. I can’t wait! Thanks for tuning in and enjoy the show!