Witness

Small town Vermont in the 1920s conjures images of a simple, idealistic way of life. America had won the Great War and patriotism was at a high. However, First Stage Children’s Theater’s production of Witness, by John Urquhart, adapted from the book by Karen Hesse, showcases a different side of America during the first quarter of the twentieth century.

The play begins with Sara Chickering, an unmarried woman, welcoming Ira Hirsch and his daughter Esther to town. Ira plans to open a shoe store, however, several residents do not welcome Ira and Esther simply because they are Jewish. Several important townspeople, including the general store owner and the church pastor decide to join the Klu Klux Klan and carry out the Klan’s priorities within their town. This also includes harassing an African American girl, Leonora. While the town’s children taunt Leonora and Esther, the adults step it up by sending threatening letters, attempting to poison a well and even shooting a gun through the keyhole of Sara’s house, where Ira and Esther live. All this violence brings out the worst in some people, but also brings out the good in others.

The title of the play is in fact the message of the play. The events that happen cannot be attributed to individuals of even a small group of people, as Sara Chickering points out. The town itself can be considered a living organism that must take responsibility for its actions as a whole. Every citizen is a witness and has the ability to step forward and offer testimony. Even though this thought is spoken aloud it is also visually explained by the set and the decision to keep several characters on stage ‘witnessing’ events. Designed by Nathan Stuber, the set is simple, offering a full view of the town including the general store, Sara’s kitchen and the church. Seeing these cornerstones of small town life reinforces the idea that all are interconnected.

While focusing on several acts of hate and violence, there are some light moments in the play. Jacque Troy offers several buoyant bits as Viola Pettibone, the wife of a Klan enthusiast. Troy is strong but with a sense of humor in her dislike for the Klan. There are also several sweet moments between Olivia Hammernik, playing Leonora, and Robert Spencer, playing Mr. Field. As Leonora helps out around the old man’s home, he tells her stories about serving in the Civil War and why he felt fighting against slavery was important. Spencer is quietly inspirational in his portrayal. The young characters in Witness are made up of two separate casts that alternate performances. The Hope Cast includes Hammernik who is believable as Leonora and Alex Salter who is endearing as Esther.

Even though the heyday of the Klan is long past, the idea of hate without basis is still an important lesson to explore because it still happens today. Witness is a profound experience for children as well as adults.

Witness runs through February 22^nd. First Stage performs in the Todd Wehr Theater of the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. For information on tickets and shows visit www.firststage.org or call the Marcus Center box office at 414.273.7206.