An Evening of One-Acts

Webster Conservatory

Reviewed by Steve Callahan KDHX, St. Louis, MO

"My hopes for the future of American theatre were encouraged last Friday night. The art of playwriting is clearly flourishing—at least if the evening of one-acts presented by Webster Conservatory is any indication. The three short works by student dramatists all showed impressive levels of both talent and craft. Professor Michael Erickson who teaches playwriting and served as dramaturge and advisor to the young authors should take pride in the work of his protégés. . .

"The first offering, "Dot's Family Restaurant," by Quin Gresham, takes us to a small café in Snowball, Arkansas. It's partly a memory play, with David, the narrator, revisiting moments in this, the favorite hangout of Snowball's youth. We see him and his friends, Liz and Rob, in several of those minor reunions that happen between high-school friends when they return for the holidays from different colleges. Still friends, but not quite the same. Once so close, how can they grow apart? Bonded in that intense crucible of high-school life, is it possible that one day they should not quite recognize one another? This central nostalgic theme is beautifully larded with comedy, with a tough and ornery waitress, a redneck bigot who becomes literate, and the crusty old owner, Dot, whose dialogue consists of a profound smoker's cough. The vivid memories of youth in Snowball that seemed so bright and firm must, in the July of life, melt irretrievably. "Où sont les neiges d'antan?" David will ask. "Where are the snows of yester-year? There's a lovely and magical final turn showing that life can reveal undreamt of wonders in the most surprising places."