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Peer Reviews
Fire
on the Mountain: Explosive Success
A review by Joe Monroe, II
Entire contents are copyright © 2007
Joe Monroe, II. All rights reserved.
If you think that only Kentucky natives, bluegrass
music lovers, descendants of coal miners, and Actors
Theatre season ticket holders will enjoy this show,
then you are sadly mistaken. Fire on the Mountain is
a show that could be and should be enjoyed by all.
As I breezed through the program, I had no idea what to expect. I saw over 30
songs listed, and figured that this was going to be a long night. In addition
to the 30-plus songs, there was a note saying that there was no intermission,
and my bottom began to cramp at the thought. I think the couple sitting next
to me had the same thoughts. I overheard them planning their exit, but when I
informed them of no intermission, we all settled in with an open mind.
As my eyes canvassed the set, I thought it was excellent because it immediately
took me back to my days in the mountains of Western North Carolina. The
rustic set with the rocking chairs, banjos, piccolos and guitars took my mind
to "coal miner’s country." As I thought more about it, this
could be the scene of almost any mountain state, so what better place to be than
right here in the Bluegrass state?
The show was originally produced by the San Diego Repertory Theatre in association
with the Cerritos Center. This show is a story that was told about a group of
people that are deeply rooted in this country's struggles and success -- a story
that I, for one, did not know, and one that I am now glad to be knowledgeable
of. This is one of those great stories that never
make it into the history books. Sure, we learn of coal miners, unions and black
lung, but not the true story and how it affected not only the coal miners and
families but all of us.
From the very first solo by Molly Andrews (that sets the mood), to the very last
song with the ensemble that had the audience on its feet, this play moves. It
moves in terms of pace, and it will move you emotionally. Fire on the Mountain opens
the audience’s eyes to the struggles of the people of Appalachia. It shows
that people of color were not the only people wronged by this great nation, but
it came down to that universal theme of "them that got shall have,
and them that’s not shall lose."
A well-written and directed show by Randal Myler and Dan Wheetman, it was enhanced
by a talented cast. This group of brilliant individuals truly engrossed themselves
in their characters. As an audience member, I truly felt I was just sitting there
listening to a group of people talk and sing about their true-to-life experiences
-- and, as if the actors, the set and the costumes weren’t enough to take
you there, then the slides of real-life pictures from that era, shown on
two large screens behind the cast, took the show from graphite to diamonds.
Of course, the show did have a couple of hiccups, like with Lee Morgan being
a little flat in the beginning (only for his first two songs), or Ed Snodderly’s
rendition of Miner's Lament (which we could have done without),
but even these things were easily forgotten or overshadowed by their and the
rest of the cast’s live music and harmonies.
The show’s stand-out definitely was "Mississippi" Charles Bevel.
His solos were moving and heartfelt. I found myself looking through the program
anticipating his next song.
All in all, this show should definitely be seen by all. Whether you're a coal
miner's
descendant or a couple looking to escape at intermission (by the way, that couple
left with tears in their eyes), this show will spark a flame in you
that will have you standing at the end, wanting more.
Fire on the Mountain
By Randal Myler and Dan Wheetman
Directed by Randal Myler
Musical direction by Dan Wheetman
August 28- September 22, 2007
At Actors Theatre of Louisville
316 W. Main Street
Louisville, KY 40202
http://www.actorstheatre.org/
Posted Sept. 3, 2007
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