Review: WE THE PEOPLE THE MUSICAL at Twin Lakes Playhouse

Sponsored by the Captain Nathan Watkins Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution in Mountain Home, The Twin Lakes Playhouse, 600 West Sixth Street, celebrated our nations independence by presenting WE THE PEOPLE THE MUSICAL by Pat Cook June 28 through July 14 to a very appreciative audience. Directed by Dianne Pankau and Co-Director Joanne Helms, this show attracted many veterans and their families, and I noticed quite a few watery eyes during the performance. This community pulled together and honored our men and women who served, and I couldn’t have been prouder of this theatrical group.  

This lighthearted comedy follows a group of small-town citizens that want to put on a historical program about the founding of the United States and decides to base it on the Prologue of the United States Constitution. They take the separate phrases, discuss the meaning, do a skit that represents the passage and sing a patriotic song to follow it. By the end of the show, We the people of the United States, In order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America is engrained into our minds and hearts with a better understanding of what it means to be an American through deeper themes of civic engagement, community spirit, and the importance of accurately understanding and presenting history.  

This was a true community performance that brought together the young and young at heart. They had five committee members-George (Cayden Sabella), Tom (Micheal Barker), Abby (Symphony Fox), Martha (Sue Howe), and Betsy (Nancy Leone) trying to win over Mayor Sam (Trey Wentworth) for this project, and halfway through he became enthusiastic and participated with his own thoughts.  Wentworth was energetic and caught your attention during his moments. Sabella has a fabulous voice and his pairing with Symphony (love that name) Fox made for great moments. Barker, Howe, and Leone helped bring the vision of the show to life, and we were all feeling patriotic by the end of the show.  

In support of the committee were the chorus and vignette actors, which included Cheyenne Wachtel, Jazlyn Morgan, Alison Perkey, Westin Grass, Logan Peter, Juniper Mae Manske, Connor Wentworth, Juliana Pickers, Joanne Helms, April Baily, and Steve Fox. With their support, the show had many personalities to get the message across, and not to pick favorites, but young Connor stole the scene every time it was his turn. He made the whole audience smile.  

Music Director and accompanist Olivia Wolfe was the sole musician leading the cast. Sitting to the side of the stage, she directed this cast through some fun and moving patriotic pieces that appeased the audience. My favorite part of the music was at the end when they honored the service members by playing through all the armed forces anthems, minus the Space Force. I had to look that one up on my way home. I’m pretty confident that there wasn’t a member of the Space Force in attendance, so it was ok.  

Up next is ALL MY SONS by Arthur Miller. For more information, visit their website at https://twinlakesplayhouse.org. 

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