The Blue Heron stage will come alive this weekend with a patchwork quilt of original monologues and scenes written and directed by playwright Stefani Priest.
The evening of theater, “Between You and Me,” will feature a constellation of local acting talent, taking on a challenging range of characters.
The show will include scenes depicting extraordinary moments in ordinary lives — a young girl who tries to tough out a difficult situation; a high-strung mother and difficult teenage daughter at odds; longtime friends dealing with strong personalities over lunch; an idealistic young woman who balances art and unemployment and a couple who talk on their cell phones instead of to each other.
The common thread in all the scenes, according to one of the show’s actors, Janice Randall, is Priest’s “witty, thoughtful and poignant” presentation of realistic situations and believable characters.
“She can take a very serious subject and make it funny,” Randall added.
Susan McCabe, another Islander who is involved in the show, also had high praise for Priest.
“I’ve learned something in every rehearsal,” McCabe said.
Randall and McCabe both described the particular challenges Priest faced in rehearsing the show.
Due to space constraints at the Blue Heron Art Center, rehearsals for the show have moved back and forth among private residences, Island churches and the Blue Heron building.
In fact, the cast only came together for the first time for a complete run-through of the show on Sunday.
McCabe praised Priest for her can-do attitude throughout the long rehearsal process, which began in August.
“She’s pretty relaxed about all this stuff. She kind of divines how it’s going to come together,” McCabe said.
Priest, a former Islander who moved to Edmonds in 2003 after residing on Vashon for more than 10 years, trained at Hedgerow Repertory Theatre and studied with the legendary acting teacher Uta Hagen in New York City.
She also lived in San Francisco for many years, where she performed and directed many critically acclaimed productions.
“Between You and Me” was recently selected for a 2010 Reader’s Theatre Award by Shoreline Lake Forest Park Playwright’s Competition.
“The motivating thing for me is to convey that we are more alike than we are different,” Priest explained. “I think we all try to protect ourselves and don’t always want to be who we are. But ultimately, all we really want is to be appreciated and loved.”
”Between You and Me” will be presented at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 16 and 17, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18, at the Blue Heron. Tickets, $12 to $14, can be purchased at www.brownpapertickets.com, Books by the Way, Heron’s Nest, the Blue Heron or by calling 463-5131. Due to content, parental guidance is suggested for children under age 13.
