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Little Theatre captures family's 'Heart'

By Lorraine Lucciola, Standard-Times correspondent

Who can condemn a woman on an off day when she picks up a gun and fires it at her husband because she simply didn't like his looks? In the best and worst of times, her family won't.

Beth Henley's compelling script, "Crimes of the Heart," zeroes in on family relationships and launches the Little Theatre of Fall River's summer season at the Firebarn.

Ralph Martin, a veteran director of Little Theatre productions, has a knack for superb casting. This show is a prime example of his vision.

Karen Valcourt is Babe, the youngest of the McGrath sisters. According to her oldest sister Lenny, Babe is the "most perfect," and "the prettiest" and has married Zachary Botrell, "the most famous and most successful man in Hazelhurst, Mississippi."

Babe is primarily guilty of not loving Zachary anymore and admitting, "I was aiming for his heart but got him in the stomach." She then proceeded to make a pitcher of lemonade, just the way she likes it, with 10 lemons and a lot of sugar.

If this sounds just a bit too candid and cold, imagine the skill necessary to pull off the role and still make Babe -- or Rebecca, or Becky -- likable.

Ms. Valcourt accomplishes this with wonderful childlike innocence and, at the same time, gives us glimpses of anger, disappointment, frustration and an untimely loss of affection for her spouse.

She is strongly supported by Cindy Stillings as Lenny and Dee Kullander as Meg, who embellish the show with equally candid dialogue and pure emotion.

Lenny is the stereotypical spinster with a lost romance of her own. A "shrunken ovary" is her excuse for not having a man in her life. Instead, Lenny becomes the caretaker, nursing old Grand-Daddy, and taking whatever grief her family dishes out.

Ms. Stillings' character is a walking, talking apology for living. She is fiercely loyal to her sisters, yet simmers silently with regret and resentment. She is sure on stage, rounding up the action and taking it to its next level.

Ms. Kullander as Meg returns to Hazelhurst from Hollywood, to console Babe. Meg is all fluff and bravado but can only boast failed relationships and a thwarted singing career. Her last Hollywood engagement found Meg working as a phone clerk for a dog food company. She is a bit reckless but reels herself in to become a part of this crazy-quilt of sisterhood. Ms. Kullander is a natural comedienne, yet laces this role with mature sensitivity.

Kelly Camara is Chick, the gossiping, aggravating cousin whose mere presence on stage can produce a nasty case of hives. Ms. Camara is perfect in her twangy inflection, seething innuendos and outright classless appeal. When Lenny finally chases her through a screen door with a broom, we not only cheer for Lenny but also for Ms. Camara, for the terrific job she does to deserve this comedic abuse.

Bruce Kullander, playing opposite his wife as Doc Porter, does a fine job as a man who has gotten on with his life after the woman he loved got away. There is a satisfying and tender rapport between them as actors on stage as well as off.

Martin Novia as Babe's lawyer, Lloyd Barnette, is gentle and direct as he deals with the McGrath sisters and with Babe, herself. Mr. Novia is serious, but softens in their scenes together.

The beauty of "Crimes of the Heart" is captured by this cast. There is an honesty that bottom-lines the play and Little Theatre's actors have grasped it. When life's pitfalls interrupt one person's agenda, family history cushions the fall.

You can depend on family for just about everything -- to make or break a moment, to buoy you up or deflate you, to come to your rescue or walk away. Mostly, you can depend on them to forget everything bad that consumes you now and recall everything good that still makes you family.

"Crimes of the Heart" continues tonight at Little Theatre's Firebarn, 340 Prospect St., Fall River, at 8 p.m. and tomorrow evening at 7. The show resumes with performances at 8 p.m. Thursday through next Saturday and 7 p.m. June 28. Tickets are $10 general admission; $8 for senior citizens and students and $5 for children under 12. For reservations and information call (508) 675-1852.

"Crimes of the Heart" is the first Little Theatre production to christen the brand-new and long-awaited flexible seating system in the intimate, air-conditioned theater.

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