Seven newbie directors, a cast of 20-somethings, a handful of short plays and a plethora of complicated relationships. What could go wrong?
Well, to be quite honest, not a whole lot when the Marshall University School of Theatre & Dance takes the reins.
A packed house greeted the cast and crew of “Acts of Love: An Evening of Love Stories” for their opening night Wednesday, Feb. 25, leaving with a deeper understanding of what it means to love and with the overwhelming urge to call their loved ones.
“Acts of Love” is a two-act show comprised of seven 10-minute plays that take the audience across the entire spectrum of love – be it through romance, awkwardness, fun, familial-ties or vulnerability. While one of the plays may highlight a cheesy meet cute, another offers a look into the bittersweetness of aging.
All seven of the short plays were, as assistant professor Leah Turley said before the show, “conceptualized, performed, directed and rehearsed” by students, for students.
My personal favorite performances of the night came from Roza Beller and Thaddeus Stambaugh, who excelled in their portrayals of Liz and Jay in “Liz Comes Home a Day Early.”
Although the two theater veterans only took the stage for 10 minutes, I could have watched a five-part miniseries of them as these characters, who they clearly spent the appropriate time studying. Stambaugh’s Dave Matthews Band shirt being the Chekhov’s gun of the scene truly took the cake for me, further confirming just how realistic this play was. “Liz Comes Home a Day Early” is a hilariously practical bit that anyone could connect with; Bravo Director Samuel McElwain for masterfully putting it together.
Despite not appearing in the same plays, two other actors stole my heart in this love-studded show with their Marshall Theatre debuts.
Braden Burnside had the nerve-wracking honor of taking the stage as the first actor featured in the first play of the night as well as one of two actors to play a character above the age of 80, yet he aced both performances, which were approached with obvious care and thoughtfulness. Gentry Porter made his first-ever appearance in a theatrical production, impressively tackling two complex, wildly different roles with grace and a natural air about his acting. While most theater kids can say they have played a tree at some point, few can say they’ve played a tree in the same manner as Porter.
I cannot fail to mention Daniel Calwell, who served as the night’s emcee and as Davis in “Tree Hugs.” No matter the show, Calwell effortlessly continues to make me laugh as this season’s token comedian.
While I could go on about each one of the actors’ and actresses’ performances, I’d like to also applaud Jack Colclough, the director of the School of Theatre & Dance, and Turley for their exceptional choices in the evening’s play along with the order of show, which consistently remained at a nice pace.
Although the set, costumes and general tech were more minimalistic for this ever-changing show, the crew certainly deserves praise of its own from quickly and efficiently removing set pieces and props between scenes to choosing the most aesthetic outfit for a “Missed Connection” match to perfectly timing the lighting and music in “That Moment When.”
Overall, I was incredibly pleased with all aspects of the “Acts of Love” experience, which is why I am giving this production four and a half out of five stars. With three more chances to see the show Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., all that stands between you and a heartwarming evening with a loved one is purchasing your tickets. You won’t regret seeing this short and sweet – emphasis on the “sweet” – show by the talented students of Marshall’s theater program.
Baylee Parsons can be contacted at [email protected].
