By Joseph Szalinski
History is written by the winners, whereas the losers write theatre criticism. At least in my case. And what better medium to teach people about history than theatre? Get lost, Ken Burns. To help get into the patriotic spirit for the U S of A’s 250th birthday, Community Theatre Players want you to catch their production of American History in 60, directed by Mace Porac, now running at Community Presbyterian Church of Ben Avon in Ben Avon, PA.
Written by playwright Jeremy Desmon, American History in 60 attempts to chronicle the story of the United States within an hour. Give or take. Who knows for sure? Time isn’t real. Farmers made it up to sell almanacs or something. I didn’t pay attention in school. Anyway. This show has the unfortunate distinction of being an American History play that’s produced in the shadow of Hamilton. Trading songs for sketches, American History in 60 seconds covers a lot of similar territory, which is the focus of most of its runtime. However, scenes that deviate from that formula really stand out, most notably: the opener about Christopher Columbus, the first Thanksgiving, the Louisiana Purchase, the beginnings of the Civil War framed as couples counseling, and a game show about the Great Depression/Dust Bowl. The ending is a bit rushed, which I guess is the point, but we’re not here to discuss the script. Just the production. Which is thankfully a frantic delight, courtesy of the cast and crew.
True to the medium, this show would be nothing without its cast, who perform at breakneck speed to cram in the mountains of history it covers. Everyone is responsible for numerous roles, which they navigate with ease. Samantha Carpin, Tim Davis, Jenny Louise Deigan, Todd, Ellen Kalik, Shiloh Massey, Kate Miller, Mace Porac, Jenn Rian, and Jennifer Welch all work well together in their various iterations, as well as having plenty of opportunity to stand out amongst the goofiness—a gut-busting cluster of talent.
Technical elements heighten the onstage action. Lighting and sound are handled expertly by Jeff Cieslak and Patrick Trimble. Kate Miller, a member of the cast, handles the props that elevate hilarity. Director Mace Porac and Mary Witul’s handiwork in set construction helps flesh out the world, with the latter in charge of the program featuring Amy Sikora Baschnagel’s awesome poster design.
Community Presbyterian Church of Ben Avon is a relatively unassuming venue. Between its atypical façade and the quaint auditorium, one wouldn’t think that entire theatrical seasons are hosted in the hallowed space. However, after catching a few productions, it’s easy to recognize why audiences and creatives keep coming back. Whether it’s generous refreshments or the stellar people inside, it’s incredibly welcoming.
Community Theatre Players is a group of thespians committed to entertaining their audiences. Between the energy they bring to their productions and the shows they choose, they are certainly a memorable outfit amongst the dozens of other community theatre practitioners in the Greater Pittsburgh Area.
-JS
American History in 60 continues its run on.April 17th and 18th at Community Presbyterian Church of Ben Avon in Ben Avon, PA.
