Reviewed by Carol Drummond
The Lantern Theatre is a new theatrical endeavor housed in the conspicuous Big Red Barn on the old Gleeson Farm at the corner of Canal and Tinker’s Creeks Roads in Valley View. Their first production, Singin’ on the Ohio, is a two-person play written, directed and acted by Cleveland playwright Eric Schmiedl.
The story takes place in 1845 and is about two unlikely characters who accidentally come together and reluctantly agree to remain a team on a voyage down the Ohio & Erie Canal. They effect each other in surprising and thoughtful ways. Singin’ on the Ohio has been running twice a day on Saturdays and Sundays throughout the summer, and ran its last performances of the 2012 summer season this past weekend.
The imposing structure of The Big Red barn has been cleaned and fitted with a stage in its center and a cozy seating area made up of wooden benches, random seats and even some rocking chars, which add a charming touch that is appropriate considering the home-spun, historic nature of the performance and setting. Schmiedl plays a reticent canal boat captain who is softened by his unexpected helper who, to his dismay, turns out to be not only a woman, but a young teenager, played with innocent wonder by Andrea Belser.
I had seen the flyers and had hoped the summer would not run out before I had a chance to see it, so I was relieved when I could arrange to go on its last weekend of performances. What a pleasant surprise it turned out to be. The flyer said that Singin’ on the Ohio was family entertainment, and sometimes that can mean kid’s stuff (like Barney), but not Singin’ on the Ohio. The characters were believable and their journey together was both heartwarming and historically accurate.
Schmiedl’s character, Mr. Timothy Egan was a stern man who’s emotional reserve was a defense to hide the fact that he was illiterate. Belser’s Elizabeth “Bit” Mulllers character had the eager optimism of youth that was only tempered by her shy lack of confidence. They learned to help each other through their personal difficulties and grew in character during their two week trip down the canal, from Cleveland to the Ohio River.
Though the characters were fictional, they were set in as realistic circumstances as possible. At the end of the performance the actors told a brief synopsis of how the rest of their character’s lives unfolded, after they parted ways at the end of the journey down the canal. Finally, the audience was invited to ask questions and look around the barn and stage to get a deeper understanding of the history and the performance.
Singin’ on the Ohio is suited beautifully to the location. Right out the window of the historic Big Red Barn where the performance takes place, is the actual Ohio & Erie Canal that the play is built around, so you can imagine my surprise to learn that it was actually written 10 years ago and originally performed at Cleveland Play House. Although this 2012 season is over, and because of the positive response from the community, The Lantern Theatre plans to host a few seasonal events this winter in The Big Red Barn, and to expand its summer 2013 season with additional plays and performances. The details are still being planned so be sure to check back to find out more, and to plan a trip down in the valley, to The Big Red Barn next summer.
Be sure to plan your visit early in next year’s season because seating is limited, and bring your bike to take a ride on the tow path, where Singin’ on the Ohio is set, after the performance.
Find out more here:
http://facebook.com/pages/The-Lantern-Theatre-at-Canal-Corners-Farm-Market
Carol Drummond has been a professional designer for 25 years. Prior to starting her award-winning graphic design studio 18 years ago, Drummond Design, she graduated from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, worked at a graphic design studio, a video production company, and a consumer products company. Carol currently serves as chairman of the COSE Arts Network Advisory Committee. http://www.DrummonDesign.com
Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Valley View, OH 44125