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The Eagle Newspaper
July 12, 2007
Spotlight for One: Table for Two
By Lawrence Hillis
SALEM – This
past Sunday the Fort Salem Theater saw Mrs. Neva
Small complete her final performance of Not Quite an Ingenue,
the musical story of her unique and inspiring
life.
Accompanied by Artistic Director Jay Kerr
on the piano, the show came to life not on
the conventional Fort Salem stage, but in a
brand new and beautifully designed room.The
walls had been repainted a deep burgundy and
emphasized with a gold trim, all resting atop
mahogany panels. One of the walls
had been brought down and in its place a small
alcove stage was set. Hidden lights set
the mood as soft music drifted from hidden
sources and delicious treats were served from
the corner. Tables had been set throughout
the room, all lit by the soft glow of candles
resting upon them. This was not a show,
this was not a story that can only be seen
from a distance, this was not someone else’s
story…this was the meeting of old friends,
this was the beauty of a romantic candle lit
dinner, this was a revelation of music, in
theater, in experience…and then Neva
Small made her appearance.
Busting through
a pair of golden curtains, her vibrancy and
vitality brought her first song to life, and brought the audience
to their feet. But the enthusiasm did
not end there but carried through the entirety
of the experience. Her voice was mature
and wizened, and her versatility was astounding,
switching between old theater style music,
to more popular songs from the radio, and even
engaging the audience through the use of a
puppet!
This was cabaret. This was Neva
Small. This was theater at its best!
Though
Ms. Small’s act has finished,
it does not herald the end of the activities
at Fort Salem. The theater will be hosting
Kerri Lynn Jennings: On the Brink, July 13
through July 15. Ms.
Jennings songs and stories will carry you around
the world from Las Vegas to Japan, chronicling
a life rife with intensity and action, and
following the trials and travails of fame,
misfortune and romance. All of this will
be set in Fort Salem’s wonderful atmosphere
and with it’s long standing tradition
of professionalism and excellence. |
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Fort Salem Theater
© 2007 |
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