If crimes of passion are considered the worst kind, lock me up and throw away the key because I am in love with Salt Lake Community College’s Department of Performing Arts. On April 7, Crimes of the Heart premiered at the South City Campus Choir Room at 7:30 p.m.
The play written by Beth Henley is set in the real life hometown of the writer, Hazlehurst, Mississippi. This small town exemplifies the stereotype of what to expect from a town the size of 5,000 (at most) people.
The story is based on three eccentric sisters. Babe, the youngest sister has shot her husband because she “didn’t like his looks.” The middle sister, Meg, has returned from her failed stint in California to help Babe with her legal issues. The oldest sister, Lenny, is focused on the fact that it’s her birthday and everything is falling apart.
With Meg back in the picture, the former local doctor, Doc Porter, is curious to confront what we later find out was a tumultuous and torrid love affair. There is tension between Babe and her lawyer, Barnette Lloyd (played by Andrew Johnson), who has a personal vendetta against Babe’s husband. Between the cracks from the sister’s cousin, Chick Boyle, played by Shana Foley, and the hilarious relationships, this Pulitzer-Prize winning play is clearly deserving of its prize.
Crimes of the Heart is a little under 3 hours long with three acts. The play opens up on the morning of Oct. 23 and ends the next morning, cramming in over 24 hours into a few.
The play was directed by Assistant Professor Frank Gerrish and consisted of a six-person cast. The cast included newcomers to the drama department like Andrew W. Johnson. Johnson’s southern charm and naivety was so cleverly portrayed that it left viewers wondering if he really is that sweet. Jennifer Klekas (Meg) and Ashley Campbell (Lenny) who are also making their Salt Lake Community College debuts have previous film experience and performed their parts beautifully.
The lighting and the technical cues were almost completely perfect with an exception of the sound effects of phones still ringing after they’ve been picked up.
For any theatre-goer who loves surprise romances and twists in the plots, it’s easy to get lost in the charm of this southern “dramady.” Another thing to look forward to is some suggestive dialogue, which is why the play is recommended only to those 14-years-old and up.
Crimes of the Heart is open until the 23 of April and is free to all SLCC students and faculty and $10 for the community. Tickets can be reserved by calling Grand Theatre box office at 801-957-3322. Tickets may also be purchased on location before the show.