Review: 'Fireflies' by Phoenix Stage Company

Oakville, CT - FIREFLIES is a new play by Matthew Barber, the author of ENCHANTED APRIL that premiered at Hartford Stage in 2000 and opened on Broadway in 2003. FIREFLIES, which premiered in 2017 at Long Wharf Theatre in New Haven, CT, won an Edgerton Foundation New Play Award. Mr. Barber is currently working on film adaptation of his stage play ENCHANTED APRIL, which has become one of the most produced plays of the past decade; also in the works
is a musical stage adaptation of ENCHANTED APRIL (with actor/composer Bruce Dow.)

“Wasps and mockers. Frogs and flies. Texas is downright biblical in the summer.” - Grace in FIREFLIES

In this new romantic comedy from the novel Eleanor & Abel by Annette Sanford, retired schoolteacher Eleanor Bannister lives a quiet life alone in a tiny Texas town, set in her routines and secure in her position as the town’s most respected woman — until a hole in the roof of a “honeymoon cottage” on the property of her family home draws the attention of Abel Brown, a smooth-talking drifter intent on renovating Eleanor’s house, and possibly her life. Can the unexpected sparks of late-life romance be trusted, or is there truth in the gossip that Abel isn’t all that he seems to be? Either way, the whole town is talking.

The play is set in a blisteringly hot July of 1995 in Jackson County, South Texas in the town of Groverdell with a sweltering population of 1,742 Texans. This story takes place within five days and it is presented with one fifteen minute intermission.

When the play premiered at Long Wharf, the original cast included Jane Alexander as Eleanor, Denis Arndt as Abel, Judith Ivey as Grace and Christopher Michael McFarland as Eugene. After attending one of its first community theatre productions, I regret even more missing it in New Haven.

“I am so proud of this cast and so grateful for their amazing work. Many thanks to Ed for all of your hard work. You put in so many hours to bring Eleanor’s kitchen to life and I appreciate it so much.” - Director Agnes M. Dann

Agnes M. Dann has done a wonderful job of directing the four Phoenix Stage Company actors that bring this engrossing work to life. I found myself wishing that the play did not have to end several times during both acts, a true test for me of what is a well-written piece. Ms. Dann has made sure that all of the comedic elements are brought out, and paints the quirky romance with a deft touch. As the house lights came up for intermission, a female voice behind me used the adjective “delightful,” echoing what I had been thinking as I made a note in my program. Ms. Dann is a founding member of the PSC where she is often a producer, director (LOVE LETTERS, THE OCTETTE BRIDGE CLUB) and stage manager for many a production.

The stellar cast is led by the veteran community theatre actress Helen Adams in the role of the retired schoolteacher Eleanor Bannister. She was so perfect in this role that it is hard to imagine another actress playing Miss Bannister. Ms. Adams’ PSC credits include CLIFFHANGER, COVER OF LIFE, CEMETERY CLUB, THE RED VELVET CAKE WARS, BAD YEAR FOR TOMATOES, and STEEL MAGNOLIAS. She also has extensive credits at Curtain Call in Stamford as a costume designer.

Ed Bassett, a founding member of the Phoenix Stage Company and the Executive Director, takes a break from his administrative duties to “abley” play the role of the mysterious drifter Abel Brown. Mr. Bassett’s acting credits include THE FOREIGNER, A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE, EVERY CHRISTMAS STORY EVER TOLD. In addition to a slew of PSC productions, he directed GODSPELL and THE GREAT AMERICAN TRAILER PARK MUSICAL with Landmark Community Theatre and designed the costumes for DREAMGIRLS and CABARET.

Jane Coughlin makes the most of the supporting role of Eleanor’s neighbor Grace Bodell from the minute she opens the first act. Ms. Coughlin played Rosie in the AACT and NERF award winning production of WINTER FLOWERS with Lea Dmytryck. Her other credits include MRS. BOB CRATCHIT’S WILD CHRISTMAS BINGE, FEMALE TRANSPORT, A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE with PSC, as well as SISTER ACT, CABARET AND GODSPELL with Landmark.

It is always a pleasure to see Brian Elser on the stage, although he’s usually working backstage or in the booth. He brought a charm to the role of police officer Eugene Claymire, a former student/pupil of Miss Bannister. Mr. Elser’s stage credits include FOUR WEDDINGS AND AN ELVIS, MOON OVER BUFFALO, SPELLING BEE, CUCKOO’S NEST, A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE, TWELFTH NIGHT, JACOB MARLEY’S CHRISTMAS CAROL, DRINKING HABITS, MURDER AT THE PROP TABLE and THE LAST SUPPER: A MUSICAL REENACTMENT with this reviewer. Mr. Elser calls the Phoenix his “home away from home for eight years.”

Becky Venable (ALMOST, MAINE) served as stage manager with Brianna Mattingly as the lone running crew member. Laurie Phillips was brought out of retirement to serve as the costume coordinator, while the director and Mr. Bassett gathered all of the appropriate props. Mr. Bassett also designed the detailed set that brought the audience into Eleanor’s kitchen and front porch behind it. Lighting designed by Al Hathway always shines and Mr. Bassett was in charge of the sound design.

It was such a pleasure to sit next to Michelle Buchetto-Kalogrides and her husband during the performance during the second weekend of the run. FIREFLIES runs at Phoenix Stage Company in Oakville through July 27, 2019 Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm and Sunday matinees at 3pm. 2019 Season Sponsors are Sierra Ridge Media Arts, Black Hog Brewing Co. (the business that has a shoutout in the set in the first four scenes) and Arts & Culture Collaborative Waterbury Region.

Photos by Lisa Cherie

Next up at Phoenix Stage Company is THE PINK PANTHER STRIKES AGAIN adapted by William Gleason and directed by Ed Bassett. It will run Sept. 7 through 21, 2019.

Nancy Sasso Janis, writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local venues, posts well over 100 reviews each year. In 2016, her membership in the Connecticut Critics Circle began and her contributions of theatrical reviews, previews, and audition notices are posted not only in the Naugatuck Patch but also on the Patch sites closest to the venue. Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and Connecticut Theatre Previews and on Twitter @nancysjanis417 Check out the NEW CCC Facebook page.

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