Religious extremism explored in powerful drama at Stagecrafters

by HUGH HUNTER

It must have been a premonition of the election outcome that led Stagecrafters to open its run of Book of Days last Friday night. This excellent drama takes place in the "Red State" of Missouri. Playwright Lanford Wilson grew up in rural Missouri, and he speaks of its evangelical cultural milieu with an extraordinary bitterness.

The play begins in the town of Dublin, where Walt Bates (David Swartz) owns a cheese factory. His manager, Len Hock (Joe Herman), loves fine cheese, and wants to introduce a gourmet provolone. When Walt dies in an apparent hunting accident, ownership devolves to his son, but James Bates (Tom Tansey) is only interested in quick profits. He scuttles the "pretentious" gourmet product. Len's wife, Ruth (Catherine A. Pappas), is starring in the community theater production of Saint Joan by G.B. Shaw. She thinks, "something's not right" about this whole thing, and begins to investigate Walt's death.

In this two-act play, the townsfolk address us both directly and in chorus. At the onset, they speak from stage and auditorium aisles, and proudly inform us of the virtues of their small town. The first act moves slowly. Through a series of vignettes, we get to know the townsfolk and their problems. The pace quickens when Ruth, like a modern-day Saint Joan, confronts the townsmen with her suspicion that Walt has been murdered.

Act Two opens with a religious procession, and the figure of Reverend Bobby Groves (William Dewees) gains prominence. Conflicts within the community build, and people bring their troubles to him for resolution. Religious ardor intensifies, and both the wronged and the villainous seek succor in his church. The action builds to a climax when Ruth confronts the congregation. With unconscious will, the entire congregation conspires to resist her inquiry. The scene masterfully builds in intensity as the congregation circles around Ruth in a way that almost suggests a satanic cult.

These people are not one-dimensional and are not presented as fools. They have knowledge. They think, suffer and connive. The problem comes when they only address real conflicts by abandoning themselves to "accept Jesus." Their powers of discernment collapse. They lose the capacity to distinguish between truth and falsehood as evangelical ardor incubates and protects evil in their midst. The arch-villain not only survives, but also announces plans to run for office. This is grim business indeed.

Book of Days is directed by Patrick Martin. The large and effective cast includes Martha Hock (Len's mother, Anne Bailis), Sharon Bates (Walt's wife, Judy Kinsley), Louann Bates (James' wife, Julia Susman), Boyd Middleton (stage director, John Nicolazzo), Ginger Reed (assistant to Boyd, Mackenzie Reid), Earl Hill (inspector at cheese plant, T.J. Deluca), Sheriff Conroy Atkins (George Serdar).

Stagecrafters is located at 8130 Germantown Ave. Book of Days will run from Thursday to Saturday, Nov. 11-13 (8 p.m.), Sunday, Nov. 14 (2 p.m.) and again from Thursday to Saturday, Nov. 18-20 (8 p.m.). Tickets are $15. Reservations are available at 215-247-8881 or at the door.