TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Hernando Today

Original drama debuts at Stage West this weekend

ADVERTISEMENT

By MARSHA REINIERS

Hernando Today correspondent

Published: June 25, 2009

SPRING HILL -
Escape the summer heat to the cool Adirondack Mountains with a visit to Stage West this weekend where actors will bring to life the characters created by Brooksville resident Mary Sheldon. "Hot Coffee and Live Bait" is an original script and will be performed as a Readers Theater on the intimate stage of The Forum for three performances only at the bargain rate of $5 a ticket.

Reader's theater is a style of theater in which the actors do not memorize their lines. Rather they interact with one another as they hold their scripts and read through the script together. In reader's theater, actors use vocal expression to help the audience to understand the story. Sets and costumes are generally minimal, but there will be sound effects and special lighting to help set the stage. Theresa Stenger, who plays the part of Barb Baker, is active on the play reading committee for Stage West. "We read the play a year ago and just loved it and felt it could be great for Readers theatre. And it is really great to support local talent."

Sheldon says that when she worked in Vermont as a paralegal, she drove past a quaint general store daily, and was always intrigued with the signs they had around the store. This daily commute prompted her to title the play "Hot Coffee and Live Bait," well before she wrote it.

Set on Rose Lake in the Adirondack Mountains of New York, what starts out to be a quiet weekend retreat for two couples, turns into so much more, when these characters learn the true identity of the owner of the general store and bait shop. Many events come to light following a severe lightening and thunderstorm that threatens the tranquility of their lives forever. Hank (Dave Stenger) and Nancy (Karen Doxey) Stevens and their 16 year old son Brian (Nick Martinez), head to a cabin in the mountains with their friends, Dave (Alan Magnus) and Barb (Theresa Stenger) Baker. Ron Towsley (Peter Clapsis) is the discontented and somewhat lecherous store and bait shop owner at the mountain retreat. His girlfriend, Betsey McNeil (Cheryl Roberts) helps out in the store. While Ron is busy trying to seduce Barb, Nancy sees Ron and realizes he is her ex-husband, who abandoned her and Brian when he was only four years old.

"I chose my actors carefully, as vocal quality was very important, and this cast is absolutely wonderful," says Sheldon. "This is really a story in dramatic form. The play is about abandonment, and an emotionally detached father who abandoned the teenage son when he was only four years old." While the tone of the play has serious undertones, Sheldon says there are many comedic moments. She created the characters from people she met as she and her husband traveled the country for six years in their RV. "You know, life just happens, and it is all the little things that stick in my mind. They're kind of like post-it notes from which I draw my characters from."

Sheldon says that the response she has gotten from Stage West has been wonderful. "They are trying to do whatever they can to make it more than just a sing song reading." Sheldon says she is thrilled to see her characters come to life on stage. With the exception of Nick Martinez, who plays Brian, the teenager, these actors have worked on stage for many years. "When we did the table reading a few months ago, it was so exciting. It is one thing to write something, and it is a whole different thing to hear it. There are inflections and nuances and the sense of character that finally comes through." Sheldon says that after that initial reading, she did make a few changes to her script by adding an additional scene and strengthening a few characters. She previously wrote a one act, one woman show, "The Family Tree," which she performed as a member of Vermont's Touring Artist Registry. She studied acting at NYC's Herbert Berghof Studio, and served as a director for the Dorset Players and drama coach for a private school. In Brooksville, she directs the Clover Leaf Players variety show.

Roberts says that it is very exciting to have the opportunity to work directly with the author of the play. "Mary is encouraging physical movement along with the reading. She is really very talented and a great director."

Sheldon has copyrighted the script and hopes to see it performed in other theaters.

"Hot Coffee and Live Bait" opens tonight and runs through Sunday, June 28. Friday and Saturday performances start at 8 p.m., and the Sunday matinee is at 2 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the box office one hour prior to each show, or stop by the theatre on Saturday from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Stage West Community Playhouse is located at 8390 Forest Oaks Blvd., Spring Hill. Call the box office at 683-5113 for more information. Tickets are $5.

Marsha Reiniers writes regularly for the Hernando Today Out & About section. She lives in Spring Hill and can be contacted at Marsha@LTC-FLA.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT