EAST SIDE STORY -- Theatre du Mississippi

playwright: Lynn Nankivil
director: Daniel Munson
sets: Shari Schuh & Erica Thibodeaux
costumes: Cynthia Jennings
lights: Fluffy Blake
sound: Daryl lanz

Winona, Minnesota, 1918.  Two teenagers want to be together, but their families are from counties which are now at war. 

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Held at the Masonic Lodge in Winona, this play features some of the beautiful scenic drops that have been featured in the "Drops & Drama" productions.  The art is fantastic, and their condition is 'fair.'

The play also featured two rotating houses.  The design was simple but effective.  The 'balcony' scene elicited a chuckle from the audience who were probably not expecting 'Juliet' to appear in the upstairs window of her house.

The costumes seemed fine.  Nothing stood out as inappropriate or too wild.

The lighting was quite attractive.  I've seen Fluffy Bake's work before and it's always been a notch above the rest.

The story seemed ... non-compelling.  I'm not sure whose story was being told.  Of all the characters and stories, the most intriguing was that of 'Josephine' and hers was incomplete.  The difference between the fathers and their 'showdown' at the end of the first half was strong, but it didn't develop or go anywhere (and ended too neatly at the dance).

The performances all seemed quite strong, particularly for a community theatre-type performance.  A remarkable assortment of talent.

A fun show, worth seeing.

DOGSBREATH DEVEREAUX, THE DASTARDLY DOCTOR, OR NURSES! FOILED AGAIN!! -- R-P Drama Club

playwright: Billy St. John
director: Forrest Musselman

A melodrama/farce about a doctor trying to get rich.

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A rather typical farce from a high school.  A little over-acting, lots of wackiness and plenty of fun.

Not a classic, but not intended to be.  Just fun for the sake of fun.

LOVE SONG -- Winona State University

playwright: John Kolvenbach
director: Siobhan Bremer
scenic & lighting design: Peggy Sannerud
costume design: Ruby Oian
cast: Ethan Jensen, Molly Daun, Justin Atkinson, Samantha Heaver, Corrin Carlson

A woman tries to find the love she had with her husband, while her brother finds love in a most unusual place.

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I found the actual script for this piece rather pathetic. There is no real dramatic conflict and the changes in the characters come about rapidly, without any real build. And while I am not offended by 'strong' language, I did find the "f"-word to be used much more than was necessary. I understand that it's supposed to be 'real' language, but it felt forced, not real. Perhaps this was, in part, the actors' uncomfortability with the language, but I do think it's primarily the writing.

The character of "Molly" was much too indistinct. While it's part of who she is (indistinct), she created more confusion than she prompted discussion. Joan and Harry's relationship never seemed clear enough to follow and neither was really likeable enough to care about. Only Beane seemed worthy of following.

I 'get' the concept of why this is called "Love Song," but still, it seems weak. A real stretch.

I thought the set was nice and the costumes appropriate. The best actor was probably the waitress. She just seemed honest in the role and didn't try to create something that wasn't there. Beane was my next favorite. He did seem to understand who the character was and worked well within the framework that the playwright had given him.

Overall, this was not a play I would choose to see again.