Longwood University’s second theatrical production of the season, R. T. Robinson’s “The Cover of Life” directed by Lacy Klinger, opens on Wednesday Nov. 9.
“The Cover of Life” focuses on a New York reporter, Kate Miller, from Life magazine who is sent to small-town Sterlington, La. to do a piece on three women who are all married to brothers. These brothers enlisted in the military and as a result, the three wives have moved in with their mother-in-law as a means of saving money.
Kate, played by junior communications studies major Alex Woods, writes this article with the preconception that it will be an uplifting, heartwarming piece on southern women’s Americana. However, shortly after getting to know the wives, Kate finds that the story is something much larger and unexpected than originally anticipated.
“Kate comes here expecting a woman’s piece,” says sophomore theatre education major, Mary Jo Corley, playing the part of Tood, “then she comes to find that there’s so much more happening here… it’s a real story.”
Though the play is realism, it is not “100% real” according to Klinger, who made the directorial decision to tell this story through the Kate’s perspective, as if it were a memory. The way the set, movement pieces and music are portrayed feel as if the audience is remembering the story as Kate tells it. With outlines of windows and door frames and underscoring music throughout certain scenes, there is a lot of the production left open to interpretation.
“I think the script leaves a lot open to the imagination” said Klinger, “so I got to put in movement pieces, which is nice because that’s what I do. So, while it’s not a musical, it does have strong elements of music and movement to help tell the story.”
With a small cast of seven actors, the production promises to be a relatable yet emotionally involved seriocomedy with many themes that could hit close to home for both students but most notably, the people of Farmville. One of the most prominent themes include a double-sided perspective on the small-town lifestyle.
On one end, we have Tood, the youngest of the wives that realizes after Kate’s arrival, the extent of her dreams and just how trapped she feels in the cramped, country life. But then comes in the fast paced and flashy character of Sybil played by senior theatre major Baylee Holloran who very obviously stands out from the typical “country girl” type of woman that Sterlington has come to know.
“They’re in this teeny tiny, small town in Louisiana” says Woods, “which is right outside of Monroe which, they talk about a couple times saying ‘women have a chance in Monroe’ and ‘bigger things are happening there.’ Since they’re in such a small town, their opportunities are limited. I think Farmville can relate in the same way with Richmond being close by.”
Yet on the other side of the spectrum there are characters such as Weetsie -played by freshman biology major Brianna LaFratta and Aunt Ola played by junior theatre major Mary Beith- who are comfortable living in a southern, small town where family values and religion are the cornerstones for a happy life.
“Aunt Ola and I, we both love the country feel” says LaFratta, “so for (Weetsie) it’s like, she loves that the family is all together. So, there are people here that think it’s great to live in a small town. There are so many more opportunities than you’d think were in this rural-type of area.”
After a month and a half of rehearsals, the cast and crew of “The Cover of Life” is ready for an audience. Whether you’re from a big city or a small town, this production promises to be relatable for all crowds.
“There’s a lot of colloquialism that I think southerners down here will relate to and identify with.” says Klinger. “It’s a really good story with elements of both drama and comedy. This show has character and charm and heart, so come ready to hear a good story.”
“The Cover of Life” will be playing at the Mainstage Theatre in CSTAC from Nov. 9-Nov. 13 with Wed.-Sat. performances at 7 p.m. and Sat. and Sun. matinees at 3 p.m. For more information and ticket sales contact the Longwood University Box Office at 434-395-2474 or visit them online at http://www.longwood.edu/tag/18642.htm
When the "Cover of Life" Preview was originally published, Haley Mizelle was mentioned as playing the role of Aunt Ola. The text has been corrected to reflect that Mary Beith played the character.
