Actors turn in compelling performances | Culture | Summerville Journal Scene

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Actors turn in compelling performances

Published Tuesday, January 31, 2012 4:38 PM

By Roger Lee
Summerville Journal Scene ®

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Director Sara Armistead found the perfect pair of actors for Dr. Gayle Cornelison’s adaptation of The Cay.

Armistead and the Flowertown Players’ staff brought the adaptation of Theodore Taylor’s children’s novel to the stage of The Historic James F. Dean Theatre the final week of January. There was no need for an elaborate cast or set to tell this tale, but that made the selection of the actors for the two-man show that much more critical.

Enter Keith H. Alston and Christopher Ramirez.

Alston turned in a masterful performance as Timothy, a native Caribbean man. Alston’s accent and commitment to the role really brought to life the character of an aging fisherman who uses his kindness and the wisdom obtained through a life at sea to teach his fellow castaway lessons in both survival and life.

Ramirez is only a seventh-grader, but came across like a seasoned actor in The Cay. The young thespian had prior acting experience in Pinewood Preparatory School productions, but the way he nailed the role of 11-year-old castaway Phillip in front of a large and mostly adult crowd during his Flowertown Players’ debut was impressive.

The beauty of this tale lies within the friendship developed between seemingly unlikely pals and the way the story simplifies complex issues such as prejudices and handicaps.

Armistead also deserves praise for finding a way to portray some of the book’s large-scale events without the benefit of elaborate special effects. According to a director’s note, she preserved the bewilderment of situations for Phillip and Timothy by choosing a juxtaposition of realism with a more interpretive approach.

Dancers Clara Musselman and Sylvie Robinson served as human props to help take the audience through some of the adversity the duo faced, such as being lost at sea and having to withstand a hurricane.

Contact Roger Lee @ 873-9424 ext. 213 or rlee@journalscene.com

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