As a new millennium approaches and technology continues to advance at a rapid rate, the status of love and the soul remain virtually unchanged. The MorrisCo Art Theatre expressed this idea in their production of Tennessee Williams' romantic play, "Summer and Smoke." The entire ensemble highlighted the timeless nature of romantic relationships in this early 20th-century drama that takes place in the deep South. Beneath the surface of thick Southern drawls and outrageously large (yet wonderful) floral hats, the cast successfully brought out Williams' charming and intriguing characters and themes.
After a prologue involving the two romantic leads as 12-year-old neighbors, the play jumps 15 years into the future. Alma Winemiller (Diane Boggs) and Dr. John Buchanan (Stephen Hill) reunite to face strong romantic tension. In spite of their mutual romantic inclinations, however, the two cannot achieve common ground because of their personality differences. Alma embodies the stereotypical pristine and ladylike preacher's daughter, while John is the reckless, womanizing son of a doctor. Alma (which translates as "soul" in Spanish), allows her soul to guide her through life, as John relies on his physical body.
The two struggle to sort out their feelings for each other and their personal problems. Alma attempts to deal with her lost youth, after spending her life bearing the "insufferable cross" of an unstable mother. John's reckless lifestyle comes to an abrupt halt when the bullet of his lover results in his father's death. The rest of the cast provides elements of comic relief through their humorous presentation of southern lifestyles.
Boggs provided a strong performance, creating a believable and lovable handkerchief-clutching belle who blossoms into a self-confident woman. Hill created a recklessly likable character, though he played the charismatic and melancholy sides of John better than the drunken, sexually aggressive Hohn. Together, the two performed a bang-up job portraying the sexual tension and desire between Alma and John.
Other members of the ensemble also contributed stand-out performances. Julia Broxholm played John's lover, Rosa, (the stereotypical Mexican woman as created by Williams) with a nice balance between seductiveness and emotion. It was unfortunate that her character did not play a larger part in the action.
Williams' romantic venture enjoyed a pleasant and fairly unblemished performance. The only exception was the slightly distracting, swaying windows (of the Winemiller and Buchanan homes), which hung from the stage ceiling. In light of the timeless theme, the frilly blouses, gentlemen's vests and old-fashioned telephones served as effective, yet subtle reminders of the era.
The MorrisCo ensemble carefully accented the comedy, the emotions and the complexities of love in Tennessee Williams' "Summer and Smoke" through its realistic portrayals of charming Southerners.