A large cobblestone house on a busy highway is an unexpected
location for award-winning theatrical work, but through June 25, poet Emily
Dickinson is brought to life onstage in William Luce’s “The Belle of Amherst,”
which plays at Cobblestone Arts Center in Farmington. The venue usually
features children’s performances and camp showcases, but the reasoning for this
run is more nostalgic than anything else — it’s a reunion of sorts for the cast
and creative team.
When “The
Belle of Amherst” was mounted in the Rochester area 27 years ago, Cobblestone Director
Lorene Benson produced it at her former venue across from Eastview Mall, in the
cobblestone building that now houses a Starbucks. There, it sold out every
performance after the first weekend, garnered awards, and moved on to national
and international venues for the following two years. Benson, director Michael Arve, and actor Vicki Casarett reunited for the 2017 reprisal,
and after Saturday night’s show it’s simple to see why it was such a success
the first time around.
The plot
follows Dickinson’s life from 1830 to 1866 and draws heavily from her written
correspondences, journals, and poetry to create an intimate conversation with
the audience. It lightly touches on lingering questions about her mental state
— she often experienced nervous breakdowns — while giving a glimpse of her
intensely personal life. Dickinson was a recluse, but even a recluse has dreams
and desires.
Playwright
William Luce does an admirable job of humanizing,
though not stereotyping the poet. He is known for his one-person scripts (other
subjects include Zelda Fitzgerald and Lillian Hellman), which he often wrote
specifically for five-time Tony Award-winner Julie Harris. Her 1977 Tony win
for Best Actress was for her portrayal of Dickinson in “The Belle of Amherst.”
Actor Vicki Casarett’s absolute control during the show is impressive; the
emotional depth, vivacity, and insight she breathes into the character of Emily
Dickinson is stunning. Dickinson, in her bridal-white dress, seated at her
writing desk. Dickinson planting seeds in the homestead garden. Dickinson
talking to her family members in the parlor. Casarett embodies her character
completely, moving from conversation to poetry, her cadence perfectly matched
to the way each syllable was originally penned. Artistic Director Michael Arve, who is also a poet, doubtless provided guidance
throughout the process.
It’s often
been said that one of the most difficult scenarios for an actor is that of the
one-sided phone call. When to pause; how to react authentically — it’s a
precarious challenge when there is no one on the other line to provide a
response. Casarett, however, could teach a master class. While “Belle” is a
one-woman show, she “plays opposite” nearly 15 characters throughout the
two-hour run. Each interaction and conversation is one-sided yet wholly
genuine, a nod to her thorough mastery of both the script and the timing needed
for such a demanding pace.
The audience
is invited into Dickinson’s Amherst, Massachusetts, home: her parlor, bedroom,
and garden. The set design by Arve is
conscientious and historical, with period-appropriate pieces and small touches
like plants, picture frames, and personal mementos scattered about the surfaces
to make the set more home-like. Casarett uses an abundance of props, writes
with quill and ink, nibbles cake, and sips water and tea frequently throughout
the run.
The stage is
free flowing, each room melding into the next so Casarett can move swiftly
between scenes. The lower part of the stage represents the outdoors, and
lighting changes to signify where the audience should direct their attention. Sound
effects are used throughout the show (the only negative part of the experience
was a consistent white noise heard from the auditorium speakers during the
performance).
Cobblestone
Arts is a bit of a drive outside the city, but not too far. It’s a quick jump
from 490 east to the Thruway, and the center is located right on route 332 off
the exit. To sweeten the overall experience, the team at Cobblestone offers
complimentary wine, tea, and Dickinson’s “Black Cake” in the lobby pre-show and
during intermission — an especially luxurious touch as everything is served in
real glassware and patrons can bring their beverages into the auditorium. “The
Belle of Amherst” is a poignant, beautifully executed production. It’s worth
both the drive from the city and sacrificing a few precious hours of Rochester
summertime.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This review has been updated to correct an error. Arve designed the show’s sets.
This article appears in Jun 21-27, 2017.
