Cast Members Share 'Tale' of Purcellville History

By Melissa Arseniuk

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

When Meredith Bean McMath was asked to direct the 2008 Very Special Arts production, she went in with high expectations.

But even after the play debuted at the new Franklin Park Performing and Visual Arts Center last weekend, the director admitted she underestimated her cast.

About 35 of the production's 50 cast members live with some sort of physical or mental disability. Many of McMath's actors deal with autism, Down syndrome or varying degrees of developmental delay.

McMath said cast members' disabilities didn't stand in the way of her expectations. In fact, the Aurora Studio Theater artistic director said she learned something from the experience: "They will surprise the heck out of you."

Ben Shoenberger, one of two VSA specialists in the county's Parks, Recreation and Community Services Division working on the annual production, said he knew what to expect. He said he can see the positive effect the production has on its participants.

"It's amazing to see that growth in them," he said. "It really is the most amazing thing about the production."

After her first year at the helm, McMath agrees.

"It's the interaction they have with the audience that suddenly brings them to a new place," she said. "It's a blast to watch."

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The Old Homeplace: A Loudoun Valley Tale

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Great Grandma Mary, played by Maxine Bean, reads with young Mary, played by Maclyn Mischler, during the opening scene of "The Old Homeplace" at the Franklin Park Visual and Performing Arts Center in Purcellville. (Joel Richardson)

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Alice Powers, author of the "The Old Homeplace," offers some opening remarks at the beginning performance. (Joel Richardson)

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Amy Stone sings a solo during a performance of "The Old Homeplace" at the Franklin Park Visual and Performing Arts Center in Purcellville. (Joel Richardson)

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During this scene, "Old Joe" finds out he has money. (Joel Richardson)

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This scene of "The Old Homeplace" is the "Mary and John Love Waltz." (Joel Richardson)

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Couples dance during the scene where Edna and Merv go to dinner in Alexandria. (Joel Richardson)

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During this scene of "The Old Homeplace," the characters Edna and Merv go to dinner in Alexandria. (Joel Richardson)

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Children dance in the "Virginia Reel." (Joel Richardson)

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Children dance in the "Virginia Reel" during a performance of "The Old Homeplace." (Joel Richardson)

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During this scene, a pig gets into the house and the family tries to get him out. (Joel Richardson)

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In this scene, the pig gets into the house. Merv, played by William Muncaster III, is at right. Beside him is Edna, played by Lauren Oakley. (Joel Richardson)

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This photo shows the "My Hero" scene of "The Old Homeplace." (Joel Richardson)

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The orchestra performs during "The Old Homeplace." (Joel Richardson)

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This sculptures is near the entrance to the theater of the Franklin Park Visual and Performing Arts in Purcellville. (Joel Richardson)

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During intermission, people mingle in the art gallery and lobby of the center. (Joel Richardson)

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The exterior of the Franklin Park Visual and Performing Arts Center. (Joel Richardson)

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Alice Power sits on the board of directors of the Loudoun County District of the VSA. She wrote the script for this year's play, as she has each year since the program began back in 1989.

"She was the engine that made this happen," McMath said of Power.

Power smiles as she recalls the process.

"I started (writing the script) in April last year and finished in July," she said. "Then we tweaked it. We tweaked and tweaked and tweaked and tweaked."

The script was finalized in October and rehearsals started a month later.

Since then, the cast has met for 90-minute rehearsals twice a week. The actors also benefited from acting, dancing and clowning classes in the early stages.

"In the beginning, a lot of the time was spent doing just music and dance," McMath said. It wasn't until the new year that they started incorporating pantomime and acting -- but McMath said it all came together.

Power said the play blends historical facts within the context of a fictitious Purcellville-area family farm.

An elderly female character, Great Grandma Mary, narrates the production. She is the matriarch of the unnamed Purcellville family, and is played by McMath's 83-year-old mother, Maxine.

Like Purcellville, which is observing its 100th birthday this year, the narrating character also is celebrating a centennial, and she marks the occasion by telling stories from her past. As she does so, scenes from yesteryear come to life courtesy of pantomimed re-enactments and photos that are projected on the stage backdrop.

As Mary recalls her past, details from Purcellville's history are shared on stage, including the fire of 1914 and how life on the once-omnipresent dairy farm changed when Dulles International Airport was built.

The 90-minute production is split between two acts, and concludes as the entire cast comes on stage and sings "Happy Birthday."

"I thought it was quite unique," Jean Gray said after the final curtain fell. She and five friends drove to Purcellville from Round Hill to watch a matinee performance on Sunday.

Gray said she was curious, both about the play and about the new venue. Afterwards, as others filed out of their seats to leave, the 79-year-old lingered to admire the new auditorium.

"I think it's a very lovely theater," she said.

"The Old Homeplace: A Loudoun Valley Tale" is the first full-length production to be showcased at the 270-seat theater.

It was a significant change from last year, when the organization presented its play at Belmont Ridge Middle School.

Power said it was time for the annual production to have a professional venue to call home.

"We really have reached the point where the quality is really there. Our actors are not professionals by any means, but we're getting there," she said, noting everyone who auditions gets a role.

While none of the actors are paid, most of the production staff -- including Shoenberger and McMath -- are. Then there are sets to build and costumes to make. Those costs add up.

"When you have over 100 costumes ... that's a lot of fabric," Shoenberger said.

In all, he said the production costs about $24,000 to put on. Admission helps cover a small portion of the costs, but the majority of the financial support comes from fundraising and community-based corporate sponsorships.

"Over the years we've had some really outstanding financial help," Shoenberger said, adding, "we are blessed to have a community that truly believes in what we're doing."

Despite the long hours and hard work, McMath said it was time and effort well-spent, and she already is looking forward to next year's production.

"I get hugs out of the blue; you get refrigerator art," she said. "It is the most gratifying directing experience I've ever had."

"The Old Homeplace: A Loudoun Valley Tale" will be performed again Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. Tickets are $10. For more information, call 540-338-7973.

Tagged: arts, Franklin Park Center, Purcellville, Purcellville Arts Center

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