Last night, I went to see “Hell’s Bells” at Theatre Decatur with a group of friends. It’s a great cast of folks (Enisha Dickerson, Angela Porter, Kristina Baade, Judy Thomas, Erin Greenway, John McLean, Winslow Thomas, Matthew Trautwein). What impressed me most was the way director Kyle Crew and musical director Matthew Trautwein figured out a way to combine the music with the show.
Actors who had never played an instrument before became part of a musical machine, playing percussion, cello, piano and adding their voices to a choir of performers that in its whole was a very effective ensemble.
After the show, I went out for a pint with Trautwein, and he had glowing things to say about director Crew.
“I have never worked with a director who was seemingly so devoted to ensuring that every moment on stage was meaningful to that actor,” Trautwein said. “He’s been absolutely brilliant about filling in the spaces, but as soon as someone has an idea, he’ll get out of the way.”
The audience also had high praise, especially for the adaptation of Christina Rossetti’s “Goblin Market.”
Final shows are this Thursday-Sunday. Hope you can come out and join us. Purchase tickets in advance from tix.com, and use the statement to get 20 % off your next meal at Voila Market Cafe.
