BY ALLIE BROWN | Copy Editor | The Statesman
“Spoon River” isn't your average play. There is not one narrative or story.
It is the story of a town and of all the people who lived and died in that town. Basically, if you asked someone to say one last thing about their life or death, you would get “Spoon River.”
“Spoon River” is set up as many mini-monologues given by about 50 different characters played by nine actors. Each monologue briefly tells the story of that character’s life or death.
It was interesting to see what each character chose to talk about. It ranged from cursing their life or death to acceptance of their life or death. Just like real people, some characters chose to focus on the positive while others focused on the negative.
It was also interesting to see how the different mini-stories were woven into a greater narrative. Many of the characters were related to one another or knew one another and this helped bring together the idea that this is the story of a small town where everyone knows everyone.
The actors were amazing. They were able to give life and emotion to each of their characters in very few words. They were also able to do this just in the way they acted.
There were very few costume changes and when there were changes they were very slight. The actors didn’t need costumes to tell us who their characters were, they told us with their acting ability and stories.
There was also an element of music in this show. During most of it, there was a musical underscore. Off to the side of the stage someone was playing a piano or drum and they hardly ever stopped playing.
In addition, there were some songs. They seemed mostly hymnal. For example, they sang “This Little Light of Mine,” something the audience got very into: clapping their hands, standing up and even singing along.
They play ended with a very sweet, emotional song about all pain being taken away when they reached their heavenly home while pictures of real peoples’ loved ones were on projectors above them.
Some of the people were family members and loved ones of the actors and others were from the greater Duluth community. It was a very touching moment and many people were crying, including some of the actors.
The projectors were a very big part of the show. They were always in use. They either had some sort of picture to help set the scene or the name of the character that was talking on them.
Some of these pictures were taken by the director Tom Isbell and his wife when they visited the town that this play is based off of over the summer. It was a very cool way to use projectors and was done very well.
Overall, “Spoon River” was a very interesting and unique play. I’ve never seen anything quite like it before.
It really makes you think, “What would I say if I could say one thing about my life?” I definitely recommend that everyone go and see it while they have the chance.
“Spoon River” will be performed two more times on October 7 and 8 at 7:30 p.m. on the main stage at the Marshall Performing Arts Center.