11/06/08

Village presents a heavenly treat

by Sam Severn

 “Saint Heaven” is heaven-sent — a soulful new gospel-musical now raising the roof at the Everett Performing Arts Center. 

Spirited by soaring songs and a pack of powerhouse performances, Village Theatre’s season-opening production is a jolt of Southern fried soul and R & B rapture mixed with a spoonful of folk, country and rock 'n' roll.

Set in a fictionalized town named Saint Heaven in the year 1957, this endearing show spins the tale of young doctor Thom Rivers, returned from the big city to his Kentucky hometown to settle the affairs of his deceased father, who was Saint Heaven’s only doctor.

Thom falls heart-and-soul for country girl Eshie, who is speaking in tongues at the local Baptist church, and whom the young doc recognizes as stricken with epilepsy. The lovers spar, struggle with racism and Eshie’s miraculous “gift,” while Thom wrestles with leaving the hometown he abandoned. 

Powering the production is Broadway actor Kingsley Leggs as the blind preacher who confronts both lovers and his own dark past. Leggs originated the role of Mister in the Broadway version of “The Color Purple.” In “Saint Heaven” his gruff voice rumbles the stage like a Super Chief night train.  His vocal duet with Cynthia Jones, as Thom’s housemaid Millie, over a plate of cooked okra, swings like a singing duel of Bessie Smith vs. Ray Charles. 

Starring as Eshie is Seattle’s own Tanesha Ross. Radiant in the recent Village Theatre production of “Aida,” Ross absolutely lights up her “Saint Heaven” character. Her passionate solo in Act One’s closing number “Why?” is guaranteed to lift audiences up out of their seats.

The supporting cast is just as heavenly.

As Maggie, the girl Thom left behind, Billie Wildrick creates from the script’s cornpone character a sultry siren, and a lovable love-rival to Eshie. Wildrick’s country-pop come-on showstopping song “Leave The Rescue To Me” melts Dr. Thom’s heart and burns his physician’s office to a crisp.

Thom’s car mechanic buddy Garrison is played by a humorous (and heartbreaking) Mark Carr. Carr is pitch perfect in his portrayal. There’s just the right amount of grease in his hair to be a good-old-boy, and the perfect wounded glint in his eye to hint at the tearjerking tragedy that will soon hit town.

Scenic designer Tom Sturge creates a rich world of Southern churches, doctor’s offices, dinner tables, diners and auto repair shops.  Period costuming by Cynthia Savage is dead-on for the 1950s and divine.

Under the direction of Andrea J. Dymond, “Saint Heaven” the musical makes your heart soar, and takes you to a higher place.

Performances are Wednesdays to Sundays through November 23, at the Everett Performing Arts Center, 2710 Wetmore in Everett. Showtimes and ticket information can be found at www.villagetheatre.org, or by calling (425) 257-8600.

Photos by Jay Koh. Property of Village Theatre.

Top: Allan Snyder as Thom Rivers and Tanesha Ross as Eshie Willington find true love in "Saint Heaven," playing through November 23.

Bottom: Cynthia Jones (Millie Walden) and Kingsley Leggs (Pastor Joe Bertram) perform a soul-stirring duet in Village Theatre's production of "Saint Heaven."