2024 - 6th Play - The Sparrow by Chris Mathews, Jake Minton and Nathan Allen
Carolyn Defrin in the House Theatre premier production in Chicago. Photo: Michael Brosilow.
Sometimes in order to read a play a day, I need a hard copy (bed or bathtub reading, ya know). This year it appears that I’ve been needing a lot of hard copies, but here’s another one I grabbed off of my play shelf (in reality, it’s a GIANT bookshelf …). I might have read this one before, but I didn’t remember it, and wanted to read it again. I’m fudging my “rules” here a bit, but rules are made to be broken! This is one I am really sad that I didn’t see when I had the chance, sigh.
Summary: “Ten years ago Emily Book, the lone survivor of a horrible school bus accident, was sent away from the tiny town of Spring Farm. Now, in her senior year, Emily must return in order to graduate from high school. When she arrives, shy and guarded, Emily is unwillingly thrust into the whirlwind of Spring Farm High. Guided by her biology teacher, Mr. Christopher, and befriended by head cheerleader, Jenny McGrath, Emily must learn to fit in with her classmates while yearning to stay out of the spotlight. But when Jenny's life is threatened in a dangerous stunt at the homecoming basketball game, Emily reveals her true powers as she saves Jenny's life in a stunning display of telekinetic heroism. Thus, Spring Farm's own darling superhero, "The Sparrow," is born. Can this strange girl with even stranger powers be the hero that her town is longing for, or will her dark secret destroy them all? The Sparrow taps into the fundamental aching of adolescence—fearing that we're somehow different while hoping that we're somehow special.” From Dramatic Publishing.
Laura’s thoughts in brief: I heard SO much about this show when it was being performed in Chicago. Created and performed by the House Theatre of Chicago, the reviews were stunning. I … don’t know why I didn’t see it - was I performing something at the time? Who knows. I believe it was extended a few times and they even revived it at the Steppenwolf Garage for a time. Maybe it was sold out? Ah, Laura. Anyway, it’s an interesting read, and the reason I’m so annoyed at myself for not seeing the original production is that SO much of the play is visual, and reading really just does not do it justice. For example, there is a whole scene that is just this: “Emily retreats to the cornfields to be safe and alone with her happiness. She flies in elation.” That’s it, that’s the whole scene. Not a great read, but, I imagine, a great visual. In fact, I wish I knew how they handled all of the wonderful magical effects, not only flying, but lockers exploding, trains passing by, pig’s hearts in science class for dissection starting to beat (maybe dance?), and more. But I know that the House Theatre did it well, and I’m excited to see the creativity of other directors/theatre companies making those effects happen. The plot starts off powerfully, as we see scenes about Emily’s fears about returning and the town’s fears of having her back. There are some really wonderful moments that take place with Joyce, Albert and Charlie McGuckin, the family that takes Emily in. The family’s dilemma about “replacing” their lost daughter, and the ways they slowly come to care for Emily as herself are beautiful and moving. I would have loved to see more of this. However, the play wants to be a show about high school, not family. The high school scenes are fun and interesting, but the plot twists there seem less believable to me. Emily’s power of flight is introduced as she rescues a cheerleader hanging from a banner in the gym. I believe the flight, but what I don’t believe is that the cheerleaders would be trying to pull the banner (of the opposing team) down. The way it’s set up in the script, I just didn’t buy it. (WARNING: MAYBE SPOILER? I’m trying not to spoil it all …) Additionally there is some romance between two high school students and a teacher which made me cringe a lot. This teacher is the “good” teacher, and it just feels icky. However, there are consequences to those actions, so that makes it a little better, but the story has enough power in it that I don’t believe that plot point is important. Or that that teacher would cross that line, not once, but twice. Why couldn’t the two just kiss the same student instead of the same teacher? That would cause problems too and not be so … cringe. Overall, though, as a read, this play is fast and fascinating. But, reading it just makes your brain go, “HOW ON EARTH DID THEY DO THAT?!!!” I believe that the House’s production of this show was a tribute to the magic of theatre and the power of willing suspension of disbelief from the audience. One day I hope to see a version of this that works at least half as beautifully as I’ve heard that production did. In the meantime, it’s a great play for high schools and colleges that have awesome, creative directors and technical staff. Dark, deep, but fun and funny. Do it at your school! Call me to come see it (or work on it)!
NOTE: I had trouble finding images from the original production, but here’s a video montage that is glorious: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgSklN6N6G4
READ MORE! Here’s what others had to say about productions:
http://www.curtainup.com/sparrowchi.html
https://variety.com/2007/legit/reviews/the-sparrow-1200509586/
https://stageandcinema.com/2015/10/31/the-sparrow-coeurage-theatre/