Up & Coming Weekly

18 UCW MARCH 17 - 23, 2010 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM 910.321.0123 910.321.0123 FIREANTZHOCKEY.COM FIREANTZHOCKEY.COM 910.321.0123 FIREANTZHOCKEY.COM • All Kids 12 & Under - $5.00 • Tickets Still Available PLAYOFFS PLAYOFFS Sunday, March 21 VS. Friday, March 26 Fan Appreciation Night VS. Come cheer on the FireAntz during the SPHL Playoffs y S. O n l y 2 Ho m e G a m es L e ft ! S YOFFS YOFFS YOFFS n For more information, cal For more information, call The Academy of Nail Technology at 910.484.4900 For more information, call The Cape Fear Regional Theatre has had an extremely successful season so far, but I was extremely disappointed at the preview show of The Member of the Wedding. Don't get me wrong — it wasn't the play or the actors, it was the at- tendance. I know, I know. People have a lot going on. The economy isn't that great. It's March Madness. I've heard it all before. But you must make the time to go see this show. Written in 1946 by Carson McCullers, A Member of the Wedding is full of all the angst and eccentricities that make life in a small southern town inter- esting. So, while Fayetteville prides itself on being an up and coming city, most of us will still recognize the ebb and flow of life depicted in this great play. The play centers around one family, more particularly on the teenage daughter (talk about angst), her young cousin and the family housekeeper. It says a lot about belonging, and about the idea that sometimes family, the we, in a group isn't so much about the house you grew up in, but in the people who pass through it. Playing the leading role is Mary Mattison Vallery. Vallery portrays Frankie in a very endearing way. Women, in particular, will identify with Frankie's feelings. We've all been there — the age where we are not a child anymore, but not quite an adult. The feelings and emotions that terrorized our young bodies until we felt like we just had to run or pull our hair out are universal. McCullers captured those emotions beautifully in her timeless tale, and Vallery brought them to life on the stage. It has been a busy few months for Vallery. Since January, Mattison has been on stage as Wendy in Peter Pan, in the student production of Les Mis, and now as the lead in this show. I'm not really sure how she was able to pull it off, other than the fact that even at her young age, she is a consummate professional. Kudos! Sharing the spotlight with Mattison is Sharon Smith McNair. McNair, a music teacher at E.E. Smith High School plays the role of Berenice, the fam- ily's housekeeper. Since Frankie's mother died when she was born, Berenice has been the mother figure in the family's home. It is she who has raised Frankie, and she feels all the pain of a mother watching her young duckling trying to transform into a swan. McNair plays the role with feeling and adds a lot of depth to the cast. She is able to bring people into the story. They feel her pain as she mourns for her dead husband, worries for her wayward brother and fears for the chil- dren she is raising. To me, McNair is the heart and soul of the production. Nine-year-old Jeremy Ragland also puts in a solid performance as John Henry West, the young cousin of Frankie. Ragland has recently appeared in the Best Christmas Pageant Ever and Peter Pan. If one thing is missing from the play, it is the palpable sense of family between McNair, Mattison and Ragland. It was close, but not quite what I thought I would see. But then again, I saw the preview. Be warned in advance, there is some strong language and racial issues are raised in a very straightforward manner. So be prepared. The Member of the Wedding is beautifully staged and well-executed. It is being staged in conjunction with The Big Read. Clear your calen- dar and take the time to see the play. You will be glad you did. CFRT Review: Member of the Wedding a Must See by JANICE BURTON Janice Burton, Associate Publisher COMMENTS? 484-6200 ext. 222 or editor@upandcomingweekly.com Local thespians will be performing in Carson McCullers, The Member of the Wedding through March 28

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