There's a big old moon tonight—yellow and dripping down color on the moss. There are some shooting stars and a few stray bolts of lightning. Old timers would tell you it's the perfect night for catfish. The horoscope hotline would tell you it's the perfect night for romance. And then there's Frog, who would tell you it's the perfect night to beat your (former) best buddy to a pulp. Director Francis Kuhn gives you a little of all three in Warehouse Theatre's production of “Catfish Moon.”
It was Curley's idea, so you can blame him. He organized this reunion of sorts, calling up old buddies and trying to patch things up. He's always been the big brother, the umpire, taking care of everybody, even getting them all baptized at the tender age of ten. He's an all-around good guy, and actor Will Ragland succeeds in catching his startling mix of fun and gruff tenderness. Unfortunately for him, Curley may have bitten off more than he can chew this time: Frog and Gordon are fighting for keeps.
It's about a woman (what else?) It's about Betty, the only female in the cast, and a welcome relief from all that testosterone. Erin Smith makes a refreshing small-town girl—a woman who speaks her mind without tromping over the people around her. Very much unlike Frog. Jason Johnson serves up such a believable spit-fire performance as this red-neck extraordinaire that I swear I went to school with this guy. And while I'm glad I never dated (or married!) Frog, I was more than thrilled to spend a couple hours in his company. You will be too—Johnson is an absolute delight on the stage, especially when he's coming after Gordon, the lovable, emotional, somewhat off-balance suitor played by Elvin Clark. He's as tender as Frog is feisty, and it takes a serious blow to bring them all together again.
And therein lies my minor quibble with the production. Sartin's plot is a bit predictable, the conflict and its resolution coming too easily in spots. But this contempt bred of familiarity is quickly won over by Sartin's genius for southern dialog—always fresh and funny, never cliché. It's a script whose cadence surprises, if not its plot. And there's one last treat in store, too: Shannon Roberts has created a surprisingly emotive set for this reunion of middle aged friends. Her decrepit pier shows its age every bit as well as these old pals with their failing health, love lives, addictions, and deeply personal feuds. But like any trusty friend, or pier, everything's still standing at the end, ready for more fishing, more fighting, and maybe, just maybe, a little bit more loving.
--
Laddy Sartin's “Catfish Moon,” directed by Francis X. Kuhn.
Presented by The Warehouse Theatre, 37 Augusta St., Greenville (864) 235-6948. Through September 19. Tickets $25. Students $15.
It's time to watch the new plays hatching in South Carolina. Hope to see you there all next week (9/14-9/18) for FREE play readings, 7pm each night, at Centre Stage.
And, as if you haven't had enough, I'm hosting a play reading for a few works-in-progress over at The Bird & Baby Philosophy Club on September 19, 7pm. Bad timing, I know--so much new play-ing in one week! I could blame it on my professors and deadlines, but really, I enjoy the work too much for that.
Event Blurbage follows. You have been warned.
The Thinks We Have Thunk
Three New Works in need of Actors / Readers/ Listeners for one night of cold readings
Saturday, September 19, 2009
7:00pm - 10:30pm
The Bird & Baby Philosophy Club
1008 W. Poinsett St, Greer, SC 29650
Join us at The Bird & Baby Philosophy Club for some new play development! Member Stephanie Young has three new works that she needs to hear before sending them off for MFA-ing. We'll provide coffee and munchies, chairs and scripts. You provide the voices, the audience, the constructive critique. A good time to be had by all.
More details on the scripts:
A one-act comedy. A ten-minute drama. And the first act of something dark & surreal. If we had to rate 'em, the content in these scripts ranges from PG to R (for language, thematic content, innuendo). Anyone is welcome to come and read and/or listen, so invite your friends, but do the kind thing and let them know what they're in for!
We have reading parts for as many as 4 men, 6 women, and 3 either/or.
We can get by with as few as 3 men, 3 women, 1 either/or.
Hope to see you there!