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16 March 25, 2014Current in Noblesvillewww.currentnoblesville.com COMMUNITY

Belfry Theatre to show Midwest premiere of ‘Miracle

of South Division Street’By Robert Herrington • robert@youarecurrent.com

Noblesville’s Belfry Theatre is making history – again – with another production from New York playwright Tom Dudzick. Begin-ning March 28, the Belfry will perform the Midwest premiere of

“Miracle of South Division Street” for eight performances.

“I tend to be a fan of dramaties (dramatic comedies) – there’s truth, crying and a lot of comedy. In the end you feel good walking out the door,” Director Christy Clinton said. “I like plays with good characters and great lines that make me laugh when I’m reading it.”

In 1943, Ruth Nowak’s grandfather proclaimed his vision of the Blessed Mother and had a statue built to honor her in their Buffalo neighborhood. Nearly 60 years later, “Our Lady of South Division” remains, and the story of “The Miracle” has been passed down and recited by daughter, Clara Nowak, and her three children. Now, it seems that there might be more to the story, and Ruth wants to tell the world in a one-woman show. First, she knows she must tell her family, and hopefully get their blessings.

“This show is one that will draw the audience in. People can relate to it and more importantly, this show has deep-rooted thoughts. It’s important to have a show with meaning and this is one,” said Becca Wenning, who plays Ruth.

Wenning previously appeared in the season opener “The Mouse That Roared.”

“I like small casts because it’s easier to build a relationship to-gether,” she said.

All about the family“The show is about family, togetherness. They have little tiny

quarks that go on but they still love each other. It’s a family com-edy in the sense it’s a comedy about a family,” actor Stefan U.G. LeBlanc said.

LeBlanc, who plays Jimmy, is making his second appearance on the Belfry, after performing in Bell, Book and Candle earlier this year.

“I really liked the character. I actually really attribute myself to Jimmy – he jokes around a lot,” he said.

Kelly BeDell, who plays Beverly, said the story is one that any family can appreciate.

“The very first time I read the script I was rolling on the floor laughing because it’s a comedy about a family. I could see my family coming across in something like this. I could see their reac-tions,” she said.

Setting the barThe Belfry is the second community theater to perform “Miracle

on South Division Street” – the first being a playhouse in California. The play opened in May 2009 in Stony Point, N.Y., and the closest professional performance was in Pennsylvania. For Clinton, she doesn’t view the premiere as a blank slate for her but for her cast.

“My blank slate is picking who the actors are. These four people fit the rough draft. They bring their own idea of the character and I help them work together so the cast becomes a family,” she said.

For the actors, the premiere gives them the chance to put their stamp on the characters.

“It’s very easy because it is an open door. You are the first. Your interpretation is the first one the audience will see. You get to bring it to life for the first time. It’s exciting but a little bit of pres-

sure,” BeDell said.“It’s your creation from the beginning. There are no precon-

ceptions about the part. You discover the part on your own and as an actor that is always fun,” said Diann Ryan, who plays the family matriarch Clara, adding she enjoys the family dynamic of the show. “I understand the woman and the family. It’s funny but touching too.”

Playwright’s perspective “Miracle on South Division Street” is the third Dudzick show Clin-

ton has directed and the second at the Belfry. It is also the second Midwest premiere for Clinton of Dudzick’s work – the first being “Don’t Talk to the Actors” four years ago.

“I’m a huge fan of him,” she said. “He couples the voices of real people and captures the relationships of real people, but he pulls that in unusual circumstances you don’t see every day. He draws from things in his own life and expands on them.”

Clinton met Dudzick once while directing his show “Greetings” at Mud Creek Players in Indianapolis.

“He was in town for a week or two assisting with another of his shows at Phoenix Theatre in Indianapolis. He came to our show and had a Q&A with the actors afterwards. It was a very fun experience,” she said.

Clinton has communicated with Dudzick for his insights to as-sist her and the actors with the play.

“There’s been a couple of parts I didn’t understand the choices he made. I get the flow from his vision as we rehearse. It’s great having that support. It’s an added dimension you don’t get other-wise,” she said.

“It’s been unique. With playwrights like Shakespeare you obvi-ously can’t do this; this play is modern. He’s available and it’s really neat to ask the playwright, ‘What were you thinking about when you wrote this?’ He has the whole thing engraved in his brain. It’s interesting to have this process,” BeDell said.

The show will actually be unique as Dudzick sent a couple script changes to incorporate in Noblesville’s production.

“It’s fun to know we’re not just following the crowd. We’re bringing new things to the community,” Clinton said. “You have to come here to see this. When people see it, they’ll want to do it because it’s good.”

COvEr STOrY

“Miracle on South Division Street”by Tom Dudzick

•Where: Belfry Theatre, 10690 Greenfield Ave., Noblesville•When: 8 p.m. March 28 and 29 and April 4, 5, 11 and 12 and 2

p.m. April 6 and 13.•Cast: Diann Ryan (Clara), Becca Wenning (Ruth), Stefan U.G.

LeBlanc (Jimmy) and Kelly BeDell (Beverly). Show hosts are Gavin Rulon and Michael Tooker.

•Director: Christy Clinton•Tickets: $15 for adults, $12 for children 12 and younger• Info: 773-1085 or www.thebelfrytheatre.com

From left: Diann Ryan (Clara), Becca Wenning (Ruth), Kelly BeDell (Beverly) and Stefan U.G. LeBlanc (Jimmy) play the dysfunctional but loving Nowak family in “Miracle on South Division Street.” For more photos of the play, visit www.currentnoblesville.com. (Photo by Robert Herrington)

Curtains up!