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Show Suspense, acting of 'The Bad Seed' entertains audiences By MARCELLA WALKER In a poignant scene near the end of the play, "The Bad Seed," which is being presented by the Pleasant Grove Community Theater this week, this reviewer found the tears were running down her face and when actors can invoke this emotion they've got to be doing a good job. The story line of this drama is exciting. It moves along at a good clip and the actors manage to even keep the scene changes as short as possible which is a real plus. Connie McFarland, the 11-year-old performer in the role of Rhoda Penmark, does a splendid interpretation in-terpretation of the cunning, but lovely, child. This is her first major acting role and she certainly has caught the spirit of the play. Another outstanding character is Maureen Eastwood as Monica Breedlove. Her experience as an actress shows through in several scenes. Her delicate English accent adds spice to this drama. Kathleen Reed is the one who's monologue near the end of the play brought the tears to the reviewers eyes, as well as those of many others in the audience. As the mother of the tainted child, Christine Penmark brings emotion from deep within and helps the audience to feel her agony as her suspicions come to light. Connie Rae Morgan as the drunk, Mrs. Daigle, adds dimension to the performance. Some of the very experienced performers in this production, Jan Mecham, Keith Christeson and Joel Osborne give stability to the show. The set for this play is one of the finest we have seen in Pleasant Grove for a long time. It is nicely done and the costumes worn by the players are representative of their station in life. Once again, Cathy Johnston has come through with a magnificent job of directing. She directed several fine performances at the Alhambra Theater in recent years and has a good talent. Others who make commendable performances in "The Bad Seed" are David Bastion as Commander Kenneth Penmark, David During as Emory Wages, and Jon Carter as Leroy. This is the first production of the Pleasant Grove Community Theater and has Keith Christeson at its head. "The Bad Seed" will be presented again tonight and tomorrow night, Oct. 30 and 31 at 7:30 p.m. in the Pleasant Grove High School Auditorium. For an evening of superb entertainment en-tertainment plan to attend this entertaining drama which is in keeping with the Halloween season. |
