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Authentic
Mountain Drama
The
Raindrop Waltz
Success
at 35below
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The
Asheville Community Theater hosted the
production of The Raindrop Waltz in their intimate venue, 35below. The
play ran for four weeks (12 performances) with every night sold out and a number
of standing ovations.
From
the Hendersonville
News
April 6, 2007:
The
play was written by Sylva native Gary Carden, it is based on his Jackson County
childhood. Carden has been described as a storyteller with the "ability to blend
humor with poignancy, a blend that allows him to bring to the reader the great
themes of human existence -- love, death, bravery, fear, desire, success, failure
-- without having to beat the reader over the head with these themes" by the Smoky
Mountain News.
The
Raindrop Waltz is a beautiful and moving drama that centers on several generations
of one Western North Carolina family. Agnes is a fiercely independent Appalachian
grandmother who is in the early stages of Alzheimer's. Though she remembers stories
and songs, she mistakes sons for their fathers. Agnes lives alone in the cabin
that has been her home for years, and her family is now faced with the difficult
decision of whether to move her to a nursing home. Especially torn is her grandson,
Jody Lee, who was raised by his grandmother and who loves to hear her stories.
The
show is directed by Bernie Hauserman, who has long been a fan of the playwright's
work. Hauserman has directed for several local theater companies; among his many
credits at ACT, he has directed Walking Across Egypt, Moon Over Buffalo, The Food
Chain and the world premiere of Dearly Beloved.
Carden
is also known as a folklorist and a storyteller. He was raised by his grandparents
in Jackson County.
He
graduated from Western Carolina University and taught literature and drama for
15 years, worked for the Cherokee Indians for 15 years and has spent the last
15 years as a lecturer and storyteller.
The
cast consists of seven local actors who have been seen on various stages throughout
Western North Carolina.
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