One girl was wearing a bright orange dress with a tiny bow, while some boys were donning polo shirts with khakis - many were sporting new smiles on their faces because this was the first time going to the theater for most of these elementary students!
On Sunday, June 26, 2016, I attended the closing night of Hetty Feather,
which made its U.S. premiere at the Asolo Repertory Theatre in sunny Sarasota, Florida. This gulf coast city is known for its pristine beaches, wealthy residents, philanthropy, the arts and plethora of retirees. Rarely do I ever spot five or more children in the local theater's audience. If you are in your 40's or 50's, you will be noticed simply for walking fast in the theater's lobby!
Sarasota has its rich tradition of circus, and many generations of circus families reside in this tropical town. So I thought it was spectacular that Hetty Feather - a whimsical tale of an adventurous, orphaned girl with an oh-so-imaginative mind takes place on a circus-themed stage - found a temporary summer home in Sarasota for over three weeks.
I knew very little about the musical. My female executive friends had organized a Sunday outing to the Asolo, which included a cool backstage tour where we learned about the first, second and third year students in the competitive FSU/Asolo Conservatory program (tops in the country!). We even got to meander thru the aisles of the costume shop - vintage top hats and corsets lined the shelves, while bundles of multi-colored fabric were stacked to the ceiling.
We scurried to our seats for the 5:30 show - last performance of Hetty Feather in Sarasota.
The two musicians - playing an accordion and strumming a guitar - entertained us as more folks filed into the theater.
As an engineer, I was totally checking out the massive structural steel set. Several minutes into the show, I had to fine tune my American ears to focus and better understand the British dialogues. Soon I was mesmerized with the character named "Hetty Feather" (played by circus performer Chloe Mantripp) - a precocious, feisty red-haired girl who can easily flip up and onto a hoop suspended in mid-air. At times, long and wide red silk ribbons were draped outwardly like an outstretched octopus, creating a circus-tent feel. I loved how the grandeur of the elephant and the fiery red hair were depicted on stage. I adored the facial expressions and sassy saunter of the horses. I applaud the creative genius behind the fun choreography! The musicians played beautifully. Most importantly, this American audience laughed at the British humor!
I got teary-eyed when Hetty discovered her brother Gideon (wickedly performed by Mark Kane, who has trained at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music & Drama) hiding, as if he were bullied by all the other orphaned rough boys at the Foundling Hospital of London. When Hetty dressed herself in a boy's uniform to sneak into the hospital room of her brother Saul (portrayed by Nik Howden), I chuckled quietly because Saul was swaddled upright in his hospital bed - similar to Hannibal Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs (film), except sans face mask.
Growing up with gymnastics, I wanted to attempt the angelic acrobatic moves with the fit cast of Matt Costain and Nikki Warwick, who both have tremendous circus training. The way they floated in the air - extended on red silk ribbons - and how they gazed at each other made my heart melt...
Kudos to Bev and Bob Bartner for bringing the London cast to Sarasota! I hope Hetty Feather finds a permanent home someday in the U.S.
After the show, we gal pals got to mingle and meet the cast members and then wish them a safe journey back to the United Kingdom.
