Deep in one of Buffalo, N.Y.’s neglected neighborhoods, there is a monument to a miracle.
Sometime in the mid-1900s a barber in that Buffalo neighborhood had a vision of the Virgin Mary, he said. And she had given him a message to carry forth about world peace. The barber felt it necessary to build a monument to this miraculous moment so that everyone would know that he had in fact seen a vision, there at his shop. This much is true.
In Tom Dudzick’s play, Miracle on South Division Street, the barber’s daughter Clara has held on to the importance of the shrine as a certain sign that her father, indeed all his family, was chosen to be given this moment. Now she has her own children, whom she urges to continue to promote the sacred monument as a legacy for all of them. Clara is a devoted Catholic, and she has raised her daughters Bev and Ruth and her son Jimmy in the church’s guidelines. Now, as they have grown, changes are happening – fast!
(From left) Letitia Clemons as Clara, Jeanna Little as Bev, Grant Bowen ad Jimmy, and Shannon Clancy as Ruth in Epilogue Players’ production of Miracle on South Division Street. (Photo by Rob Slaven / Indy Ghost Light)
Epilogue Players’ production of the play, expertly directed by Ed Mobley, takes Dudzick’s very comical, very moving script and brings it to life with a quartet of wonderful actors. Letitia Clemons leads the way as mother Clara. Blessed with sharp comedic timing, Ms. Clemons sets her character as a very authentic Buffalo mom (I grew up in the city and really felt the genuineness of this cast’s placement in that area), worried about the kids, worried about the shrine, worried about the family legacy – worried, worried, worried.
Her daughter Ruth, who wants to be an actress and a writer, has decided it is time to come to her family with some ideas for a play she is writing about them and the legacy, which will change everything. Ruth is played with significant punch by Shannon Clancy in a role which I feel really shows her growth as an actress.
Brother Jimmy, well-played by Grant Bowen, is supportive of his sister. He wants to make a few changes in the family himself. Ruth’s self-centered sister Bev, offered up by Jeanna Little, wants no part of change as it would mean she would be treated differently by everyone. Both performers give polished renditions with fully developed characterizations.
There is so much great story structure that I can’t write about here without spoiling the fun in the presentation. There are plenty of laughs and plenty of surprise twists in this play – it really must be seen to be appreciated. A lot of heartwarming moments are mixed in with hilarious situations and laugh lines, throughout the show.
Every aspect of this production is on very solid footing – the wonderful script, the characters that the members of this hard-working cast have put together, the period set, the direction with attention to pace and timing structures. It really is a well-conceived piece of theatre.
Bottom line: A good-sized crowd came to see Sunday’s show, and this is one play I certainly hope gets a nice following. It is one of the best community theater shows Mrs. K and I have seen this year and it deserves to be noticed.
Miracle on South Division Street continues through April 30 at Epilogue Players, 1849 N. Alabama St., Indianapolis. For more information about dates, times and reservations go to epilogueplayers.com or call (317) 926.3139.
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