Ovation Committed to ‘Avow’
by Jon Vater
Cincinnati audiences will take a trip down a rather different aisle this summer when they attend Ovation Theatre Company's production of Bill C. Davis' Avow. The ensemble piece is a regional premiere and one that has been anticipated by theatre lovers for quite some time. Davis (the author of Mass Appeal) presents, through both comedy and drama, the experiences of several people who find themselves wanting to make, or in some cases, break vows that have meaning in their life. Tom and Brian are a young, gay, Catholic couple who have decided to form a lasting union and plan to raise a child together. They believe that their forward-thinking parish priest will sanction this marriage and give it his blessing. However, the priest, Father Raymond, determines that such a union is impossible under the guidelines he has been given and has vowed to uphold. Brian's pregnant sister Irene attempts to intercede on the couple's behalf and finds herself confronting a whole new set of feelings that complicate the situation further. Watching from the sidelines is Brian and Irene's comedically confounded, yet concerned mother Rose. Other voices come in the form of the more experienced priest Father Nash and Father Raymond's no-nonsense maid Julie.
The play contains scenes that are both sensitive and humorous. Thought-provoking and controversial topics and situations are blended with warmth, humanity and even some wackiness. The title of the play is a word meaning "to acknowledge openly" which is certainly a major aspect of the story, yet it can also be interpreted as "a vow", something that most characters in the play have either taken or would like to take. This examination of the choices people make regarding the vows that they hold dear is directed by Joe Stollenwerk, Artistic Director of Ovation.
Stollenwerk Vows to Entertain and Stir Thought
by Jon Vater
OTC Artistic Director Joe Stollenwerk is directing this summer’s insightful comedy Avow. He came across the Bill C. Davis work a couple of years ago while searching for plays to produce. "I read it and knew it would be perfect for Ovation. It’s very funny, but very real", he explains. He believes that the characters are like people everyone knows in real life and that the humor comes out of real situations. However, the issue-oriented script also tackles controversial matters with intelligence and compassion. "It’s one of those plays that will make you laugh, but also make you think and feel...I think Cincinnati audiences will enjoy this show. It may challenge some of them, but it doesn’t do that in an off-putting manner."
In this time of rather frequent protests, boycotts and demonstrations, Stollenwerk was asked if he thinks that the play will offend any sector of our society and, if so, does he believe that author Davis intended such. He responds, "There have been protests to previous productions, but I really think that the play presents all of the issues by looking at them from every angle, and then leaves the audience to decide things for themselves." He adds, "I do think that Davis wanted to challenge people, but he never gets in your face with any propaganda." Audiences unaccustomed to some of the issues raised in the play may identify with the character of the mother coming to terms with her children’s unusual life choices.
Shifting to the more comedic aspects of the production, Stollenwerk notes the amusing, but very real approach. "I definitely think this play is a comedy, but it’s not mindless slapstick. Rose, the mother, is one of the funniest characters I’ve ever read, but I’ve made it clear that she can’t be a caricature", he explains. "That said, this play deals with many issues - homosexual love, marriage and adoption, single mothers, adultery, family relationships and, of course, religion. All that must remain at the forefront. It’s a delicate balance to keep the comic and dramatic elements aligned, otherwise it will feel like the audience is watching two plays, or one that is poorly written, which this is not. It’s much like last summer’s Crimes of the Heart in that respect."
At the top of Stollenwerk’s list of priorities with this show is the entertainment of the audience. He also hopes that they will be enlightened as well. "This is the kind of play you can really talk about at dinner or drinks after the show. I don’t necessarily want to change anyone’s mind about gay marriage or married priests, but I want them to think about those things, and why they may think what they think", he states.
When asked if this play is suitable for all ages, Stollenwerk responds, "If it were a movie, it would probably be rated PG-13, maybe R. There’s a little swearing, a few kisses and one scene where a character is in his underwear. If there were no gay content, it might even be PG, but homosexuality can be a flag for some people." Expressing the overall audience-friendly nature of the script, he notes that high school students or maybe even kids younger than that may enjoy it and get a lot out of it. "Kids are exposed to far more in prime time television and movies, that’s for sure!", he emphasizes.
Other aspects of this production which appeal to Stollenwerk include a hand-picked cast of both newcomers to Ovation as well as veterans of the company. Also, the intimacy of the show (and more unobstructed seating) will be emphasized by the decision to do this show in the round. He adds, "I’m also excited about Avow because this is the first ‘gay play’ (in terms of having two gay men in leading roles) Ovation has done...And yet this is not just a gay play - it deals with many issues and people in different situations."
Audiences Touched by ‘Diary’
by Jon Vater
In April 2003, Ovation presented the regional premiere of Wendy Kesselman's 1997 adaptation of The Diary of Anne Frank, based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning 1955 play by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett and on the title literary work itself. Playing to sell-out crowds for nearly every performance, OTC found a warm reception from both audiences and the local reviewers. Joseph McDonough of The Cincinnati Enquirer wrote, "Ovation's production is powerful and moving." He noted several cast members giving special mention to Jennifer Hoguet as Anne and Lisa Breithaupt as Mrs. Frank. Of Hoguet he stated, "She instills the show and her character with a lively sense of hope that makes the tragedy we know is coming all the more poignant." McDonough referred to Breithaupt as "quite compelling, projecting the overwhelming weariness of this poor woman..." Paul Kreft of CityBeat mentioned David Hughes' (as Mr. Frank) "sincere fatherly strength and concern." He also acknowledged the lighting design of Eric Bardes stating that it "washes each scene with light and creates warm islands of intimacy for the actors." Presented, ironically and unintentionally, during the U.S. war with Iraq, the production gave reviewers and audiences a personal glimpse into the way international conflict impacts the individual despite the fact that the story is, by now, sixty years old. The production was also enjoyed by busloads of local high school students who attended five early morning shows.
Recent Ovation News
by Jon Vater
Ovation Theatre Company recently announced its sixth season--be sure to check out the special insert in this edition of the newsletter.
Ovation also announces that Karen Schulte has been appointed Marketing & Development Director. Karen has worked for Ovation for three and a half years in a variety of ways, including fundraising, special collaborations, and box office/front of house. Artistic Director Joe Stollenwerk and Managing Director Lisa Hall Breithaupt are extremely excited about Schulte's acceptance of increased responsibilities. The three directors will provide Ovation's leadership over the coming season, and are looking forward to providing Cincinnati with another eclectic range of shows.