'Story Theatre' playing at 2nd Story

Posted 11/25/15

When one surveys an array of holiday presents, nothing beats a good variety. That’s the idea, this holiday season, at Warren’s 2nd Story Theatre, as a band of merrymakers present the appropriately titled “Story Theatre” by Paul Sills. The …

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'Story Theatre' playing at 2nd Story

Posted

When one surveys an array of holiday presents, nothing beats a good variety. That’s the idea, this holiday season, at Warren’s 2nd Story Theatre, as a band of merrymakers present the appropriately titled “Story Theatre” by Paul Sills. The concept here is as basic as the idea of performance and theatre itself; within the confines of the small Downstage Theatre we encounter a ragtag collection of strolling players camping under the stars. To amuse each other and us in the audience they tell and act out old yarns and tall tales; it’s as simple as that and a load of fun to boot.

Rather like one of those tales of old, these second storytellers have taken some straw and spun it into pure gold. There’s lots of fun variety onstage here, a little bit of everything for everybody and all ages. It is no mean feat to concoct something that will tickle the funny bones and delight folks of all ages but such good-natured good humor and plain ol’ fashioned fun was very much in evidence at the rehearsal I attended.

2nd Story has achieved this end by mining a wide spectrum of Rhode Island resources. Some of these folktales and stories are as old as the hills, ranging from Aesop to the Bremen Town Musicians. There’s a reason why these oft-told tales are timeless though and the essence of these stories are well enhanced by the delightfulness of these storytellers. The versatile and nimble cast includes some faces familiar to 2nd Story as well as some inspired comic actors are well versed in the art of improvisation. The troupe is headed up by 2nd Story’s own Erin Olson, a leading light of the local improv scene.

But a great variety show must offer music as well as comedy, indeed, sometimes at the same time, and there is a sweet treat for us here. The nationally acclaimed folk artists and Warren residents Atwater-Donnelly make a joyful presence in this show, performing a variety of fun folk tunes while also taking part as actors in these sketches and stories.

Now in their 29th year of performing together since they met as volunteers at Pawtucket's’s famed Stone Soup Coffeehouse the husband and wife team of Aubrey Atwater and Elwood Donnelly are not only household names here in Rhode Island but have toured and performed across the country. Happily for us they’re performing in town right now and for  “Story Theatre” they bring their delightful mixture of traditional American and Celtic folk tunes as well as some original songs.

The duo also provide the entire orchestra for these proceedings playing an assortment of instruments including but not limited to Banjo, Guitar, Dulcimer, whistles, harmonica, limberjacks, spoons and you get the idea. An infectious good mood is created, as their music, like these stories, strikes an essential chord within, your toes start tapping as you listen and you cannot help but feel happy. Especially when, early on in the show, Aubrey starts clog dancing as she plays the banjo; now that’s no mean feat, you try that at home.

These sweet old songs sung with the pair’s melodious voices add considerably to the show’s appeal as do the performance chops of Atwater and Donnelly especially as the nature of this show requires them to be actors here as well as musicians. They are adept in these roles; Aubrey can deliver a wry retort onstage as deftly as she can pluck a banjo string and Elwood, playing a ‘Simpleton’ sort of character, here becomes an earnest and engaging Everyman.

Before rehearsal and prior to tuning up, I spoke to the pair briefly about performing at 2nd Story Theatre and combining music and comedy. “It’s fun to play with the music here, we’re messing with the tunes, weaving them in and out of the story and interacting with the other actors; we’re laughing so much!” exclaims Aubrey Atwater. I asked how performing in this play differs from their customary concert experience.

“Well, we normally don’t have a set list when we perform”, she explains, “but play and riff and improvise with the variety of our material. Though this show has an ‘improv’ element, it is scripted and it’s our first time learning actual lines! Memorization is new and different. But because we’re seen so much here, we trust the process. Plus,” one of the pair adds, “we’ve improvised our career!”

After moving to Warren and attending many 2nd Story productions the duo approached Artistic Director Ed Shea about possible collaboration. “Ed, when he addresses the audience just seems to have this light emanating from him, as does his theatre. I feel energized by this experience and now, having witnesses a theatrical production from the inside out, I don’t think that I’ll look at plays in quite the same way now.”

And what, I asked the pair, makes this show special? “Though it is partly for children it’s really for everybody” is the reply. “There’s a lot of comedy and though the fables are familiar-some of these stories are 25 centuries old- each have a new twist here. And all deal with the essential aspects of being human: optimism, love, greed and stupidity, to name a few.

“the sheer variety contained in ‘Story Theatre’ is thrilling”, they explain, “and we love doing something local and in our community of Warren,  especially as we travel all around.” When this show closes the pair will embark on a six-week tour of Georgia and Florida and have an extensive amount of music CDs available.

Rather like that proverbial ‘stone soup’, the music of Atwater-Donnelly and the stories and performances of “Story Theatre” provide a fun and eclectic array of delights; there’s always something in this mix for everybody to enjoy. This is a real holiday treat as the songs, performances and stories of “Story Theatre” are both for the ages and for all ages.

“Story Theatre” runs now through December 20, 2nd Story Threatre, 28 Market Street, Warren.

2nd Story Theatre, Atwater-Donnelly, F. William Oakes

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