SEPTEMBER 9TH - OCTOBER 16TH, 2016
ECLECTIC COMPANY THEATRE - VALLEY VILLAGE, CA
REVIEWS
‘The Civil War Remembered’ tells realistic tale of a nation at war with itself
Our collective memory of the War Between the States has evolved to myth, legend, intrigue, and the sacred. Not to mention the introduction of industrialization, transport and technology. The war swept aside legalized slavery with a cost of lives never before seen. All the while, each side clung to a moral code that kept savagery at bay.
This moral code also sustained the civilians who waited anxiously for their men to return. These sensibilities are what drive The Civil War Remembered, written and directed by Maureen Lucy O’Connell.
By utilizing personal diaries and archives, O’Connell weaves story and song into a compelling production. We are introduced to Abraham and Mary Lincoln, a devoted couple that share the same quirks and passions that many of us do. It humanizes them in ways that other interpretations failed to achieve.
The personal stories from citizens proved extraordinary valor by their sacrifice, courage and dedication. By fusing theirs and the Lincoln’s burdens together made it an organic whole.
Costume design by Tsebahat Fiseha drove the narrative with historical accuracy; one can only imagine how women managed in those dresses. Great casting punctuated the production. Standout performances include David Pinion as Lincoln, Marbry Steward as Mary Todd, Richard Harris as Thomas Morris Chester and Julianna Pirillo (in multiple roles), whose charisma and talent deserves great recognition and praise.
This show is a fantastic bridge of history and drama, giving the audience the sound, look and feel of that transcendent point in time. It is one thing to read and intellectualize it, quite another to emote it. Highly recommended.
“The Civil War Remembered” plays through October 6th The Eclectic Company Theatre located at 5312 Laurel Canyon Blvd. in Valley Village. Call (818) 643-1662 or visit EclecticCompanyTheatre.org for tickets and information.
'The Civil War Remembered’ and relived at Eclectic Company Theatre
It has been said that we are not in history, but that history is in us. History exists in the hearts and memories of the living and those who lived and who passed their stories down to us. History lives and breathes and bleeds because we do. The Civil War Remembered, at the Eclectic Company Theatre, is a play written and produced in that spirit.
The living souls who experienced that war, on either side, tell their stories through a surviving letter or a family account that keeps their memory alive.
This play is no drowsy history lesson. It is made for those who love our history and are curious about what makes us tick as a people and as a country.
The Civil War Remembered explores the ideas that divided our country; divided families to the point of death; tore lovers apart; broke people; made others rich – and made us, with all our flaws, who we are today.
Writer/director Maureen Lucy O’Connell makes a living history from the letters and newspaper stories of the day and presents an intimate portrayal of people of the day, with living actors to make it real. Imagine history more real than what you see on twitter or Facebook today.
Meet the black journalist, Thomas Morris Chester, who investigates and tells what he found.
Then, the saga of a farewell letter, sent to a dying officer’s betrothed, but tragically never delivered.
Learn of Ellen Bond, a house servant recruited by a Union spy, Elizabeth Van Lew, to observe and pass information to support the Union cause.
See the young woman disguised as a drummer boy, so she could follow her lover into battle, and never part.
And of course, there’s Mary Todd Lincoln—wife, mother and one who struggled with many demons besides being the wife and very visible first lady for President Abraham Lincoln. Her memories of the war, loss and the strife within her household bring many difficult realities to life.
Songs of the day are sung as they were then, a cappella, and with full hearts and joy.
Producer Siobhan Gilreath hopes The Civil War Remembered will reach students of all ages and inform us about what that war means today. She hopes to offer an alternative to standard fare with an actual live performance in a neighborhood theater that the whole family can share and relive together.
This is a play of flesh and blood and ideas celebrating what makes our country great.
“The Civil War Remembered” is staged through October 16th at the Eclectic Company Theatre located at 5312 Laurel Canyon Blvd. in Valley Village. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm. Ample free parking is available. For more information email spooniad2014@gmail.com
or call (818) 643-1662.
THE CIVIL WAR REMEMBERED
Noho Arts District Online
Last evening I had the pleasure of seeing The Civil War Remembered, at the Eclectic Company Theater in Valley Village. I had wanted to go to this gem on Laurel Canyon Boulevard for quite some time and I am glad I waited. This play is energetic, truthful and honest in showcasing the many important individuals that were a part of our American Civil War. One does not need to be a civil war buff to enjoy this grippingly honest play that represents the lives of real people during this time in our history. Few are left untouched when the southern states succeed from the nation in 1861.
I mistakenly thought that this production was solely about Mary Todd Lincoln and her days in the White House. However, this play was about so much more than one individual’s life. It is about the many lives of heroic people who believed deeply in a cause that tore our nation apart. It begins with the story of Mrs. Lincoln on the eve that her husband wins the election for the President of the United States. Marbry Steward speaks with conviction and style as Mary Todd Lincoln. She portrays Mrs. Lincoln with panache, spirit and gentleness. Keep in mind; this is not your Sally Field Mary Todd, angry and distant. Oh no, this is a gentler, kinder woman who is saddened and haunted by the deaths of her young sons. This woman loves her husband deeply and relishes the time she has with him on long walks or carriage rides while helping the soldiers and their families during the devastation of this war. Ms. Steward is close to perfect in this role as she captures the essence of a woman who is strong and loving.
Especially compelling was the sad story of two brothers who chose to fight on opposite sides of the civil war. Never to speak or see each other again after enlisting, we eagerly followed their stories with curiosity and awe. Roger K Weiss and Zack Zoda become the brothers; William and Wesley Culp. Two young men who both zealously believe in the right to fight for their convictions. The audience was moved deeply as their sad fate was told through the energetic performances of these fine actors.
As the story continues and characters emerge on stage to share their history of triumph and tragedy; one of my other favorites is the black journalist Thomas Morris Chester, played by a very fine actor, Richard Harris. This is a special man who rose to the ranks of war correspondence during this time of slavery and hatred. His story is told by Mr. Harris in a strong and vivid voice. In fact, everyone in this production spoke their lines with a vivid flair and spirit necessary to convey to the audience the essence of the real people they were portraying.
Of course it is impossible to speak or watch a story about the Civil War without including our 16th president Mr. Abraham Lincoln. It was delightful to witness such a fine portrayal of him by David Pinion. It is always brave to take on such an iconic figure and portray them with strength and honesty. Although Mr. Pinion is in real life much younger than the real president was during those years, his language and movements across the stage made you wonder if Lincoln was really that gentle and wise a person. His monologues showed us a side of President Lincoln in a sensitive and touching way. One story is told about how the president while dealing with the difficulty and horrors of war, decreed to save the lives of three abandoned kittens he came across. This was a very lovely and touching characterization of one of our most beloved American hero’s.
This show introduces the audience to the history of real people at that time. Each of the nine cast members has a special and well deserved position on stage. All of the stories touch us in a unique and unnerving way. Knowing they are mostly true, it is both interesting and haunting. The musical choices interspersed throughout the scenes; The Last Rose of Summer, Taps, When Johnny Comes Marching Home, is just a few of the tunes that add to the tone and depth of the stories we are witnessing. We are seeing a multi-talented veteran cast that can definitely pull off this production with success.
I would like to thank Maureen Lucy O’Connell who wrote and directed this production.
It is always a mighty task when directing so many people in so many directions. Ms. O’Connell makes it comfortably happen and produces a very cohesive show. The great stories, really good actors, wonderful music, and simple staging make this worthwhile to watch. She has allowed the stories to speak through the actors as they move around the darkened stage. In this way it is easy for the audience to identify with all the characters. It was also very effective to have a back screen with actual pictures of Abraham Lincoln, Mary Todd Lincoln, and northern and southern soldiers displayed as the stories unfold.
This play should not be missed. It not only represents an especially important part of American history, but experiencing really good theater is also good for the soul. A special thanks to the producer Siobhan Gilreath, for the insight to give this production the go ahead. Despite the small seating area, it felt comfortable through the 90 plus minutes. At times, the lighting seemed not be timed correctly for all the long monologues, but overall the show worked. The Eclectic Company Theater was the perfect place to experience these intimate tales.
Another thank you to the many cast members; Erin Cote, Richard Harris, J C Henning, Gerard Marzilli, David Pinion, Julianna Pirillo, Roger K Weiss, and Zack Zoda. Hats off to the costume designer Tsebahat Fiseha, Music Consultant:Maureen Lucy O’Connell and the entire crew. The Eclectic Company Theater was founded in 1989 and is still going strong with president Adrienne Pearson. Tickets are available for this run on Fridays and Saturdays through October 16, 2016.
Contact Spooniad2014@gmail.com or eclecticcompanytheater.org. The theater is located at 5312 Laurel Canyon Blvd, Valley Village, CA 91607 (818) 643-1662. Tickets are $20.00.
NEWS AND REVIEWS
Continuing its run at The Eclectic Company Theatre is the world premier of THE CIVIL WAR REMEMBERED, a theatre piece written and directed by Maureen Lucy O’Connell that tells the tale of The Civil War as told through the spouse of the 16th president of the US, as well as others that became part of the battle called The War Between The States.
Marby Steward (alternating with Jennie Floyd) portrays Marry Todd Lincoln, a woman from Kentucky who eventually became the wife of Abraham Lincoln (David Pinion), a young prairie rail splitter turned lawyer who would become the leader of a nation fallen as a house divided. Told through short vignettes expressed in a linear fashion, those that were present in the war as well as those effected from its aftermath proclaim their episodes through actual letters and documents, as well as a number of spurious based sagas that give the feeling of the war that was fought for the good of the nation, depending upon what side one stood. Outside of the war itself, Mary also reviles upon her personal “first family” life that mixes a blend of joy and sorrow. It gives a strong impression that Mary is just as robust as her husband as followed right up to his abrupt term in office.
This is a theatre production that doesn’t keep a plot in the traditional sense. It is presented though a selection of short installments that are all tied through an informative aspect of the conflict that occurred through Lincoln’s presidential term. A number of characters appear, some historical while others become the common man (and woman) that were for their nation, in spite of the fact that one time neighbors became enemies of the state. Added to its creativity and accuracy of the middle 19th century is a selection of folk ballads that were popular of its era as sung by its cast members. The presentation of these ballads of old doesn’t make this show a musical per se as they are expressed acapella. Playwright Maureen Lucy O’Connell and David Pinion collaborated on the musical selection showcased, from vocal arrangements to the tunes that told about the war with the feeling of jubilation knowing that Johnny would indeed come marching home! With its music are the visuals displayed that enhance the stories told and sung as projected on the rear of the stage. Period photographs, etchings, with letters and manuscripts written by those that were in battle and those affected from its aftereffects are displayed among its set consisting of a blacked chairs and blocks as designed by the director/playwright. This example of a minimalist stage setting allows the performers that don period costumes as designed by Tsebahat Fiseha to tell about a war in both a passionate mode, along with some hellish story approaches appended for balance.
The cast that appear in this presentation include (listed in their alphabetical order), Erin Cote, Richard Harris, JC Henning, Gerard Marzilli, Julianna Pirillo, Roger K. Weiss, Nate Werner, and Zack Zoda.
THE CIVIL WAR REMEMBERED is a very information, entertaining, and tight one act presentation. It recalls a domestic conflict that divided a nation that has never been seen beforehand, and as never been experienced since. It was a time where its citizens worked hard and fought harder, while holding a sense of both triumph and tribulation. It’s been some 150 plus years since the war first made its mark and to have its conclusion, but its sprit through its rallies and resurgence still live on.
THE CIVIL WAR REMEMBERED, presented by and performs at the Eclectic Company Theatre, 5312 Laurel Canyon Blvd, Valley Village (Los Angeles proper), until October 16th.
Showtimes are Friday and Saturday nights at 8:00 PM, and Sunday matinees at 2:00 PM. For ticket information and reservations, contact through Spooniad2014@gmail.com, via http://www.CivilWarRemembered.com, or through its presence on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/thecivilwarremembered/