Pryor Rendering premieres in Oklahoma City
by Emma Rose Kraus
Journalism Intern
Newcomers and Broadway-veterans alike have come together to make up the cast of Oklahoma City Repertory Theatre’s brand new musical Pryor Rendering, which held its world premier opening on Saturday, October 1 at the Civic Center in Oklahoma City.
Based on the autobiographical novel of the same title by Gary Reed, this brilliant new musical is a tale of love, hope, and self-discovery that follows Charlie Hope through his youth and early adulthood and life as a gay man living in the town of Pryor, Oklahoma.
Pryor Rendering focuses on Charlie and his relationships, those with his friends, family, lovers, and his own sexuality and self-doubt which follow him around most literally in the form of his 12-year-old self, imaginary friend Bub.
It’s a story about forgiveness and overcoming obstacles and the connections we form with those around us as well as the connections that are never quite made, or are otherwise broken. Most of all, Pryor Rendering is a story of hope and the human experience.
Great performances are seen all around from a company that encompasses a wide array of different backgrounds and yet seems to fit together effortlessly. In a play about connections with others, the connections between the actors themselves are evident.
Stand out performances include that of Julie Johnson who steals the show as the hysterical and loveable Fay Rose and also of Stacey Logan whose portrayal of Ida, Charlie’s mother, is filled with a heartbreaking honesty that cannot be ignored. When these two women share the stage their chemistry is incomparable.
This connection is only rivaled by that of Tanner Rose as Older Charlie and Mark Jammal as Dewar. While both of them show strong performances on their own, together they ignite each other’s characters so that the audience cannot look away from them.
I’ll be remiss if I do not also mention the performance of Ben Hall whose portrayal of Owen is so earnest and engaging that he brings joyful laughter from the audience every time he comes on stage.
It is noteworthy how the entire cast show incredible proficiency in their craft and tell the story with such grace it is easy to create emotional bonds with the characters they portray.
The technical aspects of the show are also skillfully designed and though simple, the set and special effects prove to be both successful and attention grabbing from the opening to the close of the show.
On Richard Ellis’s set it is easy to be transported to a bar in small town, USA and accompanied by the unmistakable folk sounds of Frank Schiro’s music and lyrics and the recognizable slang of Shawn Churchman’s script, Pryor Rendering is unmistakably Oklahoman. Before you know it you’ll be seeing your friends and family in the characters onstage.
As a new musical, there are a few places where I was startled by new information being brought in abruptly, almost out of nowhere and there are points in the production that seem perhaps too fast paced. But apart from these and a few minor technical difficulties, Pryor Rendering went off without a hitch and was truly a joyful and emotional journey through the life of such a relatable young character.
If you are struggling to look for a show or an event to attend this LGBTQ History Month, Pryor Rendering is the one to see. Not only does it speak to the Oklahoma spirit but it also calls forth feelings of pride and hope. This is definitely a show you should not miss.
Pryor Rendering continues with their Oklahoma City performances include; Friday, October 7, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, October 8, 1:30 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, October 9, 1:30 p.m.
CityRep performances in Oklahoma City for Pryor Rendering will be held at The Freede Little Theatre, Oklahoma City Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N. Walker Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73102. Tickets in OKC: www.CityRep.com.
Opening Night with American Theatre Company in Tulsa, OK is Thursday, October 13, at 8 p.m. Performances will also be held that Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday, October 16, at 2 p.m. (Talk Back Event).
ATC performances in Tulsa will be held at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center’s John H. Williams Theatre, 110 E 2nd St, Tulsa, OK 74103. Tickets in Tulsa: www.AmericanTheatreCompany.org.
For world premiere ticket information in both Oklahoma City and Tulsa, visit www.PryorRendering.com.
Copyright The Gayly - 10/2/2016 @ 10:00 a.m. CST