American Independence Festival

July 15, 2017 — The American Independence Festival in Exeter, New Hampshire is organized by the American Independence Museum, a non-profit organization, with support from volunteers, the festival committee, chamber of commerce and the community as well as financial support of sponsors.

Events included firing of a battery of cannons on three separate occasions over the course of the day which proved highly popular in spite of ear-splitting explosions. A battle reenactment between British forces and the town militia along the banks of the Squamscott River drew a huge crowd of spectators, happy to see the militia win the day. A reading of the complete Declaration of Independence was given, while loyalists and British military boo'd and threatened the speaker. There was to be a fireworks display in the evening.

Military encampments, arts and crafts exhibits and demonstrations of the Revolutionary period, and various vendors filled the downtown area and Swazey Parkway along the river. Individuals in period dress and military uniform were everywhere. Marching bands went by frequently. There were tours of the 1721 Ladd-Gilman house where, among many other artifacts, was the actual 23rd printing of the Declaration of Independence from 1776.

Videos and photos of the events can be seen at this link:

http://www.linwoodstreet.com/independence/

"Constellations"

July 11, 2017 — This is a difficult review to write. I've spent much time thinking about this play since seeing it two days ago, and I'm not sure I fully understand what it's trying to say. I can't even decide whether I liked it or not. Presented by the Peterborough Players in Peterborough, New Hampshire, the play is performed by two actors on a stage set consisting of lights that suggest a starry sky and streaks that could be...the Milky Way? The only furnishing is a plain, large platform about eight inches high that the actors stand on, lie on, dance on, step on and off of.

The Players' artistic director, Gus Kaikkonen, directed and designed the set for "Constellations" by Nick Payne. Marianne (Bridget Beirne) is a theoretical physicist and Roland (Sean Patrick Hopkins) is a beekeeper. Barely over an hour long with no intermission, the play consists of a series of conversations that often repeat themselves, as the characters move through first meeting, dating, engagement and a life-threatening illness. Sometimes events from an earlier time are repeated. Scientist Marianne explains multiple universes and the concept of time to Roland. Are these the underlying themes? Are the brief conversations, rolling forward and backward in time, different universes? Einstein theorized time encompasses all of past, present and future at once, and the sense it's moving forward is an illusion. Are we supposed to believe the characters are moving about freely in this sea of time? Am I completely missing the point?

The two actors were excellent and engaging to watch. The audience seemed enthralled, except the couple directly in front of me. About half-way through the play, they looked at one another, nodded and without a word got up and left. Of course, I have no way of knowing the reason for their departure, but I suspect they just found the play unfathomable. Personally, I never had a notion to leave. I had to see where this was headed. Where it ended was just as puzzling as where it began. But I'm glad I stayed. This was the most thought-provoking play I've seen in some time. I'm still thinking about it.

"Kimberly Akimbo"

July 6, 2017 — Kimberly (Kim Lajoie), suffering from a rapid aging disease, is 16 years old and near the end of her life expectancy. Her mother, Pattie (Carey Cahoon) is pregnant, unable to use her cast-bound hands after carpal tunnel surgery, and as if that weren't enough, she's a hypochondriac who's convinced she has cancer and diabetes and hasn't long to live. Kimberly's dad, Buddy (B. Christopher Williams) is an alcoholic. Intruding in their chaotic life is Debra (Emily Jones), a homeless person and career criminal.

Could a play about such woefully damaged people be a comedy? It certainly is, thanks to author David Lindsay-Abaire's skillful treatment. Matt Cahoon, director of this performance for Jean's Playhouse in Lincoln, New Hampshire, more than does justice to Lindsay-Abaire's work.

Much of the dialog is hilarious and the situations absurd, but there's an undercurrent of heartbreak in this story of a dysfunctional family of meager means in a dingy suburban New Jersey apartment. Kimberly, a teenager in the body of a woman more than four times her age, is in an increasingly fragile condition. Her mother, loud, profane and self-absorbed, is unsympathetic toward her daughter, or anyone but herself for that matter. Buddy, thoughtless due to his drinking, can destroy his daughter's self-worth with insensitive comments and neglect, but is capable of feeling remorse in rare moments of sympathy.

Into Kimberly's life comes Jeff (Jordan Gross), a geeky school-mate who at first has a scientific interest in Kimberly's condition and wishes to interview her for a school report. But they discover they're kindred spirits, both outcasts, she due to her disease and he because of his nerdy personality. A romantic attachment gradually grows.

But Debra has a money-making scheme, illegal of course, that she convinces Kimberly and Jeff to participate in, in spite of their initial reluctance. Everything is ready to go, but Kimberly, increasingly frail, collapses at the end of Act 1.

A few weeks have gone by as Act 2 begins. Pattie, still pregnant, hands still in casts, is now hobbling around with a broken ankle she suffered when she ducked out for a smoke and fell off a loading dock at the hospital where she was visiting Kimberly after her heart attack. Kimberly is now home almost recovered. Debra is urging her to join her and Jeff as they execute their plan. It's around this time Kimberly learns of an unforgivable scheme her parents carried out to avoid any chance of having another child with Kimberly's handicap.

I was pleased to see Cary Cahoon, a founding member of theatre KAPOW whose productions I've enjoyed many times. Her role as the crude, unlovable Pattie was a tour de force. All the actors were good, but Cahoon and Lajoie as Kimberly were outstanding.

Can a story about such afflicted, unhappy people on a seemingly unstoppable race to disaster have a happy ending? You just don't know what to expect in Lindsay-Abaire's whacky, unpredictable play.

Souza Palooza

July 1, 2017 — The Fourth of July celebration known as "Souza Palooza" was held with about 150 people in attendance, entirely outdoors, at times under threatening skies, but predicted rain held off and we stayed dry for the duration of the event, now in its 23rd year. A high school graduate was also honored at this celebration.

Volleyball, dodge ball and other games were enjoyed on the spacious lawn, along with an excellent variety of food and lots of it. Two bands were scheduled for late in the evening, but unfortunately I didn't stay for that, anxious to complete the long drive home before predicted severe thunderstorms hit. I could have stayed. The storms never materialized anywhere on my travel route, although some areas experienced heavy rain, damaging winds and power outages.

You can see my videos and photos of the Palooza at this link:

http://www.linwoodstreet.com/palooza17/