The Longwood University Theatre Department opened their second production on Wednesday Nov. 9 for their theatrical season, R. T. Robinson’s “The Cover of Life” directed by Assistant Professor Lacy Klinger.
Upon entering the space the audience was immediately immersed in the setting with country-folk music played in the background, a telling sign for the southern aesthetic of the production. The set consisted of an asymmetrical thrust stage with a risen platform where a cramped country home was visible to the audience.
Perhaps one of the more noticeable set pieces were the railroad tracks on the far end of the stage, serving as a divider between the outside world and Sterlington, La. In the house, abstract pieces hung around the house as window panes and door frames, providing a physical representation of an incomplete home and broken characters- job well done for Set Designer Scott Chapman.
The poignant message of R.T. Robinson’s production was clear; being a 20th century woman was no easy task. Each character embodied different personas of the 1940s female Americana; the matriarch as Aunt Ola played by senior Mary Beith, the modern feminist represented in reporter for Life magazine Kate Miller played by junior Alex Woods, the sultry diva as Sybil by senior Baylee Holloran, the content housewife Weetsie by freshman Brianna LaFratta and the passionate dreamer as Tood played by sophomore Mary Jo Corley.
Each actor embodied their personas to the fullest, almost like renditions of a label that they represent to best capture the stark differences amongst them. Woods’ take on Kate exemplified the fast-paced and exceptionally progressive nature of a working woman in the 1940s while Corley’s performance of Tood is unforgettable as she brought to life a young woman realizing her self-worth while being trapped in a patriarch-based society.
Although each character eventually must answer to themselves and take a hard look in the mirror, no character shortcuts their passionate outlook on life for the duration of the production. In fact, each character (especially Tood) has tremendous buildup that is key in a play heavy on character development that ends in personal climaxes for each of the women.
For Sybil, her character development is perfectly represented on the stage by Holloran as she played the believable role of the vivacious character, dripping with sensuality and a modern sense of her sexual nature. By far, her performance was of the most unforgettable roles that Longwood University has seen.
There is a deep sentiment felt when watching the production that Robinson is trying to capture hardships that transcend time and region, as there is a glass ceiling for even the most successful woman, Kate Miller. The emotion evoked was felt throughout the audience while they gasped in shock and cried from sadness as the exceptional and unforgettable acting brought this home to life.
Additionally, the supporting characters added a further sentimental presence to the production with the young sailor, Tommy as played by Griffin Hammersmith that captured the sweet yet insecure youngest sibling that the audience sympathizes with but grows disdain for as he cowers into remaining trapped in the small town. Haley Mizelle’s part as Addie Mae is also worth mention as she successfully took on the bubbly, far too happy character.
With a perfectly cast show, this production is a theatrical masterpiece and possibly the best show Longwood University’s theatre department has seen thus far. Klinger deserves the utmost regard for bringing to life this rendition of “The Cover of Life.” Thematically, the show could not be more pertinent at a time in which women, feminism and the proverbial glass ceiling have all come under a microscope with the most recent presidential election. Perhaps those identity issues may not come into play as heavy, but the ceiling remains intact and a constant reminder that equality hasn’t been totally reached.
The Lancer Theatre performed The Cover of Life by R.T. Robinson from Nov. 9-13th.
The Lancer Theatre performed The Cover of Life by R.T. Robinson from Nov. 9-13th.
The Lancer Theatre performed The Cover of Life by R.T. Robinson from Nov. 9-13th.
The Lancer Theatre performed The Cover of Life by R.T. Robinson from Nov. 9-13th.
The Lancer Theatre performed The Cover of Life by R.T. Robinson from Nov. 9-13th.
The Lancer Theatre performed The Cover of Life by R.T. Robinson from Nov. 9-13th.