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Known for his gripping dramas, renowned American playwright Tennessee Williams has also produced rousing comedies that are not often performed.
The Thurmont Thespians will bring one such classic to life when they take on "The Rose Tattoo," a love story filled with Sicilian dialect and bittersweet comedic moments.
"It's not often done, but I think it will play well," said director Spencer Watson. "It's a romantic piece about two wonderful love stories."
Set in the 1950s and featuring Italian-American characters, the play is about a widowed woman and her young daughter who are both finding love.
The Thespians' adaptation features a cast of 12.
Christine Miller Grable from Frederick portrays the mother – Sarafina Delarosa. A third-generation Sicilian-American woman herself, Grable was eager to take on the role.
"She's very challenging to play because you never know which way she's going to go. I like to react more than act. The dialogue can change according to what my cast mates are saying and doing," Grable said.
Another challenging aspect of the show came when Grable's beloved father, Dr. Philip Urso, recently passed away.
"My father's picture is being used as Sarafina's dead husband's picture, so he's all over the stage. It's a grounder for me because it helps channel all of that emotion," Grable said.
The show is being dedicated to Grable's father. In fact, Dr. Urso and Grable's grandmother helped the actress learn some Sicilian phrases for the production, which is peppered with the language.
Watson also enlisted local restaurant owners, originally from Italy, to help translate phrases for the cast.
A great deal of attention has also been paid to costumes and stage props, said Watson.
"Everyone wore a hat then, there were rotary phones and with all of the Catholic homes features, we needed symbols of Catholicism on stage," he said.
Watson and his crew searched local shops for old sewing machines and an antique parrot cage to populate Sarafina's seamstress shop.
"It's the little touches that define the show," said Watson. "We have great costume and lighting people helping us."
In addition to the story of Sarafina coming to grips with her husband's death and some unfortunate truths, the play also follows her daughter who finds true love with a sailor who has returned from sea for just a few days.
Scott Ortiz, of Thurmont, portrays sailor Jack Hunter.
"Jack is still a young man who is finding himself still and he's doing that in the Navy. But now that he's found his girl, he doesn't know what to do," said Ortiz. "It's very interesting with a lot of confusion in himself."
A New York trained actor, Ortiz said he has always enjoyed Willliams' shows. "This one is very intense so I like that. The characters are very in your face and I'm very captivated by it," he said.
Grable is having a good time interacting with her fellow cast. "The scenes I have with my daughter are interesting because I get to see things from a mother's point of view," she said.
‘The Rose Tattoo'
When: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and Nov. 13-14, 2 p.m. Nov. 8 and Nov. 15
Where: Thurmont American Legion, 8 Park Place, Thurmont
Tickets: $10 general admission, $25 for Nov. 14 dinner theater
For information: 301-271-7613
www.thurmontthespians.org
