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By CategoryA Slice of Life in Ivy Gap
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A Slice of Life in Ivy GapReview of First Baptist of Ivy Gap
2005-11-16
Article Written by: Charles Griffin
For proof that intimate theater is alive, well and enjoyable, you only need to visit the Sands Theater Center, located at 600 N. Woodland Blvd. in DeLand. Their current presentation of First Baptist of Ivy Gap is being presented on the second floor of the DeLand Museum of Art in what Director Jenny Sejansky refers to as "a black box." Basically, it is a square room with high ceilings, all black walls and a stage area that is so close you can hear even the softest of whispers. It contains an overhead light rack and a plywood staggered-platform for the seats, which are basically just stacking chairs with a thin layer of cloth over plastic. In other words, if you want to be comfortable, bring your own pillow. Despite the size of the venue, the performance was so good that my interest was maintained throughout the show even though a part of me was dancing cheek-to-cheek.
The characters of this play are easy to understand if you've ever seen a ladies' sewing circle, a quilting bee or a church social group doing good work. All you have to know is that all the gossip, feuding, spitefulness and loving kindness tend to balance each other out. This manifests in this particular tale as six women meet in Tennessee at Ivy Gap First Baptist Church in the latter part of World War II to cut, iron and roll bandages. There is conflict or at least contempt between organist Mae Ellen (played by Donna Bently Mixon) and a girl from the wealthiest family in Ivy Gap named Vera (played by Sally Daykin). There is also a mysterious dispute between an older woman named Luby (acted by Jacqueline Levine) and a young woman from outside of the town named Sammy (portrayed by Nikki Schofield). Olene (depicted by Angela Wilkes) dreams of eventually leaving Ivy Gap to become a Hollywood starlet, and the whole group is held together by the minister's wife Edith (represented by Andrea Finkle).
If you attend this play, be prepared for southern-fried conversation laced with some good old down-home laughs. Edith, for example, has a very unique way with words. When, as assigned, the ladies are rolling bandages, she comments, "We three are the holy rollers." Now, if you are familiar with the differences between all of the various Christian denominations, you'll find yourself laughing at this and other instances where one sect or another is mentioned throughout the play.
These ladies can get more than a little saucy, too. One punch line (go see the show and you'll get the joke) ends, "One porker, two pukers and one pissed-off pastor." Be sure to keep your eyes perked for an even better joke that comes in the second act when May Ellen asks Oleen, who has returned from being a showgirl in Las Vegas, if she "ever wore tassels?" What follows out of Edith's mouth can't be repeated here, but it absolutely floored the audience.
First Baptist of Ivy Gap has drama, tragedy, love, loss and redemption with plenty of comedic filler. Adults have to plunk down $12.00 to see it, but students are only $6.00. Seating is first come, first wins, but no seat is obstructed. The show will be running Nov. 17, 18 and 19 at 8:00 p.m. and Nov. 20 at 2:30 p.m.
Browse www.sandstheatercenter.com or call 386-736-7456 for more information.
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