The Performing Arts Club presents the 2012 Southern Maryland Originals (SMO production from November 13 through 18 at the CSM Leonardtown campus in the Auditorium of Building A.
SMO features playwrights, directors, musicians, poets, actors, and tech experts – all volunteers – who have worked together to make this third annual event a community success. Artistic Director is Lisa Gregory; Producer is George R. Johnson. Both also double as actors during the evening. The versatile Regan Cashman serves as MC in addition to her playwriting and acting contributions to SMO 2012.
Five scripts by talented local playwrights include A Happy Life by Andrea Hein (who also directed her own work), Miracle at Downtown Alley by 12-year-old-twins Loranika and Varanika Sharma of Waldorf (directed by Amanda Connelley), The Set Up (written and directed by Regan Cashman), Vicky by Peter S. Coburg (directed by Lisa Gregory and Wendy Heidrich), and Middle Ground by R. DaSilva (directed by Lois Stephenson) and offer surprising contrasts and unexpected plot twists, holding the audience’s attention throughout.
It is immediately apparent from the opening seconds of A Happy Life that the story revolves around anything but! Both Hailey Dodges as Marie and Joseph W. Turner as Joe aptly convey through strong words and body language the agony of this young couple’s struggle.
For the entr’acte entertainment Debs Szymkowiak performed three original compositions, accompanying herself on guitar. She evidenced a lovely, clear soprano with excellent diction in her witty and creative songs – especially in her poignantly topical “Heavy Weather.”
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