by Paula Kaplan-Reiss
What better way to spend a gorgeous August evening in the scenic fields of Ancramdale than seeing three wonderful short plays? For the third year, Ancram Center for the Arts has treated its audience to this Plein Air experience, with the audience not finding out the location of the performance until the day of the plays. Of course, this ploy only adds to the mystery and excitement. Perfect weather does not hurt.
Rupert’s Birthday, the first play, by Ken Jenkins and starring soloist, Danielle Skraastad, is set in front of a magnificent barn built circa 1799. Directed movingly by Paul Ricciardi, Skraastad plays Louisa, a middle-aged woman who immediately informs us she celebrates no holidays, which she enumerates in detail. But, she does celebrate the birth of a calf, Rupert who lived just one year. Living in Kentucky, Louisa recounts living in a large farm family and the day her mother goes into labor with her only brother, Orville, in the late 50s and needs to go to the hospital to deliver him because he is breech and he is huge. This is the same day she begins to menstruate, becomes a woman, and helps to deliver a calf from her cow, Miranda, who she thought was not due until a month later. Fearing the calf and cow will die because the birth does not go easily, while frightened her mother’s cesarian will not end well, Louisa prays to the moon. Skraastad brilliantly reenacts pulling this calf from Miranda, just as she enters her womanhood, and having the calf she names Rupert land in her lap, thus the first being he sees. She watches the light go on in Rupert’s eyes as soon as he is separated from his mother. Yet, what happens to Rupert one year later is what befalls all cows on farms. She is determined to be with him when “the lights go out.” This life-changing loss while entering adolescence forever colors her adulthood and makes Rupert’s birthday the only day she celebrates.
Driving a short distance to the next location, we see a more traditional play setting on an outdoor platform with three musicians singing and playing keyboard, guitar and cello. My Dog Is Dead by Kate Douglas who created last year’s wonderful concert, Centuries, also developed at Ancram Center for the Arts, plays Mary. Yet again, the story of another treasured animal, family dog Trey, takes center stage.
Mary’s husband, Roderick (musician/performer/writer Ben Ferguson) a politician on the campaign trail, describes her as “blissfully forgettable,” yet inseparable from her dog. After a tragic accident at a nearby pond, Roderick has to deliver the terrible news that Trey has been crushed to death by a boulder, which devastates Mary and sends her into a deep depression. Luke Wygodny, the cellist who plays Charlie, Mary’s brother, seems contemptuous and suspicious of Roderick because he spends so little time with his wife.
After sending Mary to a healer to snap her out of her profound grief, Roderick describes Mary as having ‘moments of intuitions, impressions.’ She develops telepathy and makes prophecies. She insists that people who are cruel to animals will suffer. And they do. Now that Mary is strong and confident, Roderick invites others to parties to witness Mary’s ‘mental radio,’ and extrasensory skills. Her popularity is great for his campaign. But the truth comes out about Trey’s death and Mary’s prophecies and mental illness.
This 20-minute story is told with original music and song, and is directed by Jeffrey Mousseau. While all three actors are convincing in their roles and talented as musicians, the tragic conclusion is difficult and not altogether clear. Wygodny, at times, seems to be reading the script on his music stand. The other two actors are not. We are left with questions and feel strongly affected by this story, as we go on to the final play.
At the Ancram Center, our last stop, we see what looks like the makings of a puppet show with a large gold frame surrounded by black curtains. In Same Picture, Different Faces, created and performed by Kyle Driggs and Logan Kerr, we see Driggs and Kerr in the frame striking different poses and taking pictures. As recorded music plays, Driggs steps out of the frame and walks on a moving treadmill, wearing a hat and carrying a cane. We are reminded of a very graceful Charlie Chaplin as he dances on the treadmill and twirls and tosses his cane. No dialog is spoken but he commands our attention. Proceeding with juggling skills, we marvel at his dexterity and coordination, at one point balancing the point of the picture frame on his forehead.
Removing the black curtain, Kerr displays her tight wire skills five feet off the ground, at one point doing a full split on the wire. She, too, shows tremendous strength and agility. She moves to a covered deck on a unicycle dancing with Driggs. Both circus performers, they tell no actual story, but they clearly have a relationship. We enjoy their entertainment, no heavy thinking required.
Ancram Center for the Arts enables the Plein Air Plays to move smoothly. The locations are near each other, and staff are on the roads pointing us in the right direction, ensuring no one gets lost. At each stop, water and bug spray are available. Actors are in character before we even take our seats. Our outdoor experience is truly immersive.
I look forward to Plein Air Plays 4.0. Ancram Center for the Arts is continually innovative and presenting talented, multi-dimensional artists. May their offerings continue to grow.
The Ancram Center for the Arts presents The Plein Air Plays 3.0: A roving performance taking place at various locations in Ancram.
“My Dog Is Dead”
story and music by Kate Douglas
performed by Kate Douglas, Ben Ferguson & Luke Wygodny
directed by Jeffrey Mousseau
“Rupert’s Birthday”
by Ken Jenkins
featuring Danielle Skraastad
directed by Paul Ricciardi
“Same Picture, Different Poses”
created & performed by Kyle Driggs, Logan Kerr, 3AM Theatre