Community Theater in Falls Church, VA
David Siegel of the Connection newspapers gives a preview of Leaving Iowa. Read the preview or see the sneak peak photo gallery below!
On behalf of Providence Players of Fairfax, Director Julie Janson is pleased to announce the cast of Leaving Iowa, which runs May 31 to June 15.
by Tim Clue and Spike Manton
Called “a comedy with a surprisingly deep soul… simultaneously hilarious and touching,” Leaving Iowa portrays Don’s journey to return his father’s ashes to his childhood home, only to discover that Grandma’s house is now a grocery store. This father-and-son road trip shifts smoothly from the present to Don’s memories of the annual, torturous vacations of his childhood: the classic American summer vacation, which often meant being trapped in the back seat of a station wagon. Don’s memories bring to life the people of his past and present, weave a tale of reconciling idealism with reality, and ultimately show us what it means to love one’s family.
CAST
(* denotes PPF debut)
Don – Bobby Welsh
Dad – Michael Bagwell
Mom – Amy Griffin*
Sis – Lindsey June*
Multi-characters (splitting 22 roles) – Danielle Comer*, Michael Schwartz*, Charlene Sloan
PRODUCTION TEAM
Director – Julie Janson
Producer – Jason Hamrick
Stage Manager – Amanda Ranowsky
Technical Director – Christopher Crockett
“The best show I’ve seen in community theater this year! And I’ve seen a lot. I am so glad we came.” – Opening Night Patron
“The performances were so strong…that after a while it felt that we were not watching actors but the actual members of the family….We’ve been going to Arena Stage for years, and your production [of August: Osage County] was one of the best plays we have ever seen!” – Opening Weekend Patron
“Just extraordinary acting. You won’t find a better entertainment value in the entire DC Metro Area.” – Saturday Night Patron
“I think this is the best show we’ve ever done.” – A Founding Member
“Michael Donahue directs a strong, searing ensemble in this production, which proves to be as riotous as it is intensely tragic.”
“This is a show that will have you laughing through your tears.”
“The actors all do fantastic jobs with their characters, but Jayne L. Victor’s and Beth Gilles-Whitehead’s performances as Violet and Barbara will stay with you for a long time.”
“A stellar production team creates the ideal atmosphere for this piece.”
Read the entire review by Julia Exline from DC Metro Theater Arts. Read more
By David Siegel
Read the entire article. Excerpts below.
With plenty of wit and toughness, and winner of the Pulitzer Prize and multiple Tony Awards including Best Play, “’August: Osage County’ may be one of the best American plays of our time,” said David Whitehead, Providence Players board. “Its portrayal of the collapse of the nuclear family brings to the fore societal changes that have happened over time and across cultures.”
Winner of the 2008 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and Tony Award for Best New Play, August: Osage County is one of the most riveting and critically acclaimed plays in recent Broadway history. But don’t take our word for it, see what the critics think:
Tracy Lett’s award-winning “tragicomedy” receives high praise from critics:Meet the director and cast in our previous post.
Read the full review here.
