A storm ‘s a brewin’…the flood waters are a risin’…the levee ‘s a breakin’…one eerie Mississippi night. All the citizens, doctors, law enforcement, and even “the help” has fled for them higher grounds…except for one lost soul…soon to be joined by two mo’, who seems to be runnin’ toward the danger instead of aways from it… now two half brothers with the same father and totally different mothers and a show business woman transformed into a motherly bride battle it out to see who will gain control of the land. It’s a testy scrimmage of wits, lust, and who-can-drink-who under the table…these three characters are racing against time.
The waters keep a risin’ and so does the fear and madness amongst this disgruntled household. What will happen? Will they all make it out alive? Who will get this sacred house and land valued at more than $50,000? You, tell me. Go see the astonishing performance of Tennessee Williams’ Kingdom of Earth in Columbus, Mississippi, April 9-13 at 7:30pm to find out.
Kingdom of Earth is truly a breathtaking, twisting turn of events play written by renowned American playwright, Tennessee Williams. Director M.J. Etua made the Tennessee Williams Tribute (TWT) proud as she took on this terrific project to portray Tennessee Williams’ vision of mass controversy set in 1960 in a rural town in the Magnolia State (Mississippi).
Isa Stratton Beaulieu (Set Design), Kay Manzilillo (Costume and Set Decor), Melissa Duncan (Props Mistress), Brenda Caradine (Producer for TWT and TWT Board Chair), Claude Simpson (Set Construction), Ed Moody (Set Construction), and Christopher Blank (Set Construction) did a spectacular job of designing and creating a set that brings the audience into the house with Chicken (David Trotter), Myrtle (Cherri Golden), and Lot (Alex Orsak) as they manipulate to determine the heir to Ravenstock Plantation.
David Trotter plays quite the interesting and complex character-Chicken…his character’s personality goes from sexy to creepy in a matter of minutes…seconds. His dark humor, his loneliness, and his rejection by white society leaves the viewer straddling the fence of liking him and despising him. David’s portrayal of Chicken is complete perfection. Bravo! Bravo!
Cherri Golden, as Myrtle, shows off her mad acting skills in the performance of Kingdom of Earth. “As the character of Myrtle, Cherri is now focusing on honoring her skills in whimpering, waffling, and screaming…” (TWT pamphlet) My most memorable moment of her magnificent acting skills is the scene where they talk about “washable velvet”! Cherri Golden’s performance as Myrtle was beyond breathtaking as she was able to transist through each scene with absolute ease. At times, I found myself unable to catch my breath…and wondering if I should invest in some small appliances….
Alex Orsak, as Lot, exposed a sense of peace to the intensity of the play. His character is just as complex and dark as that of Chicken’s. His weakness, his illness, his paleness are stark contrasts to the attributes of Chicken. At first meeting, Lot seems to be a charming, sophisticated, and loving young man–full of innocence and dedication to his late mother. As the play unfolds, the viewer loses faith in Lot…and begins to pity him for not his physical illness, but mental one. Let me just say one thing without giving away the ending…the last few moments of the play grab’s the attention! Alex’s portrayal of Lot is stellar. Two thumbs up and five stars!
You must see this play, VIP readers! It is so fabulous that I could watch it over and over again! My goodness! I must stop chatting about it, or I am just going to give the entire thing away….
Upcoming Blogs, Videos, and VIP Interviews:
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VIP Interview: Director M.J. Etua
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VIP Interview: Gabriel Tajeu Part 2
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Blog: Columbus Spring Pilgrimage–tour of Amzi Love Home
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Video: Tennessee Williams play coverage featuring Brenda Caradine
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Video: Amzi Love Home Tour coverage and interviews
See my interview with City Councilwoman Ward 6 candidate, Whirllie Byrd on the YouTube channel now! She has fabulous ideas on how to improve the youth and city of Columbus, Mississippi! Vote May 7th! www.youtube.com/user/vintagepassionista
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