Review: Dickinson's Words Ring Forevermore in Harwich

Everyone is familiar with at least the mention of Emily Dickinson, whose words are enchanting to us now but at the time she wrote were considered a bit too ahead of their time. She is one of the most well known American poets we can still recognize as great to this very day, and the life she lived is as intriguing as the words with which she defined her life. Dickinson wrote over one thousand poems, and although very few were published during her lifetime, her story is no less fascinating than if she was indeed accepted for who she was at the time her words did not shine as they do today. So, what better way to commemorate such a talented woman than to capture the beauty of her essence through the one thing she could not live without: her words? What more perfect way is there to immortalize the life of one whose grandiose vision of the world and the accomplishments with which she filled her own existence than by portraying such a shining light upon the stage?

Dickinson believed in the power and majesty of the written word, and so, too, can a Cape Cod audience now embrace her passion in a new production which portrays not only the life of Massachusetts' own world-renown poet, but more specifically those emotions which made her one of the most memorable and fascinating people an audience can ever become acquainted with on stage. The Belle of Amherst is hereby brought to the Cape with an ecstatic bang in the form of subtle Emily Dickinson, who's basic essence on stage makes this a truly remarkable production that any director would be proud of.

Written by William Luce and directed by Susan Kosoff, who did a wonderful job making this show continuously renew itself with each new facet of Dickinson's life visited, The Cape Cod Theater Company's (home of the Harwich Junior Theatre) production of The Belle of Amherst provides a wonderful glimpse into the poet's life that would not immediately pop out at you, should you be reading a biography or another account of her life, for example. This show focuses more on the reenactment of those intense emotions which constituted the life of Dickinson - those emotions which both spurred and filled the content of her writings, and which hereby brings her being to life on stage with such vibrancy and energetic force. From the poet's account of past romances to the way in which words enliven her spirit and bring her such joy, this production proves that there is an actual person behind the name of Emily Dickinson: a person full of such joy, woe, sorrow, exuberance and who, with every word uttered, finds the magic there is in the potential writings that anyone can see were consistently stirring in the depths of her brilliant mind.

Putting on a production with only one character on stage, talking about his or her life or telling a story for the duration of the show can sometimes be difficult to conceive, let alone sit through. As I've said in the past about Harwich Junior Theater, the group's shows are everything but ordinary; I am surprised each and every time I come for a performance because of the immense talent on that stage, in conjunction with the beautiful way the shows are directed and presented. The Belle of Amherst reinforces this opinion as, even though such a show could become tedious after a while, actress Jane Staab never allowed the audience to become jaded by her performance, or by what her character was experience. Watching Staab as Dickinson made me feel as though I could walk up to the stage and ask the poet herself a question, that is how involved she became with familiarizing herself with her character, and how engrossing it was for the audience to watch her do so. Every actor is determined to capture his/her character in such a way as to not only embody every mannerism, every tone and every facet of a character's life and being, but also to embrace that person as part of the actor's essence and bring one's own appreciation into the story being told.

Staab wasn't merely pretending; when she is on stage, there is an aura about her that captivates those watching and brings them further and further into the world of Emily Dickinson. She proves during her performance that the poet whom we all know, at least in name, has a world of emotions behind her which constituted her life. Although, as she states, words were definitely her pride and joy, wanting nothing more than to be published so that she could spread her passion among others, her life's story was told through her reactions, her downfalls and those small things that made her happy in life - all told in the fashion of a woman telling her story to an audience she speaks directly to, making all present feel as though they know Dickinson a bit more than anyone else ever could. Staab gives a phenomenal performance, and makes what she can of a show that can become uninteresting very quickly, even if one holds Dickinson in the highest possible esteem. She is a wonderful actress (as great as she is a director, as she proved with HJT's previous production of Where the Mountain Meets the Moon), and to turn monologue into more of a conversation with the audience instead of the mere retelling and recounting of certain events is a remarkable and admirable ability. I give her much credit for performing as she does, and the dedication she has given to this role is evident.

I would also love to give credit to the set designer, Anthony Hancock, as the set for this production is absolutely beautiful. He makes Emily's abode feel so homely and safe, and as the audience is so close to her through her narrrative alone, everything on stage is situated to faciliate this is such a beautiful way. All in all, and with everything said, the Cape Cod Theater Company should be very proud of this production, as it really brings to fruition the beauty of an actress who can so wonderfully portray a beautiful woman, full of life and wit...even when she isolated herself from all but her immediate family.

So, if you happen to be on the Cape for a while, please consider going to see this production. It is another success that HJT can add to its list of those had this summer, and it is sure not to disappoint.

The Belle of Amherst began performances at the Cape Cod Theater Company (home of Harwich Junior Theater) on August 27th, located at 105 Division Street in West Harwich, MA, and will continue thru September 6th. The performance schedule is as follows: Thursday-Saturday at 8 PM, with a Sunday matinee performance at 4 PM. Tickets are available either in person at the box office, by calling (508) 432-2002 or by visiting http://www.hjtcapecod.org/.

Enjoy the show!

Photo Credit: Nina K. Schuessler

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