Winnipesaukee Playhouse Ed Dept returns with Spoon River

MEREDITH — The Winnipesaukee Playhouse’s Education Department returns to the stage for the first time since February 2020 with Spoon River, Jason Pizzarello’s adaptation of Edgar Lee Masters’ beloved collection of poems The Spoon River Anthology. The production runs from Oct. 28-31 with performances at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday through Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday.

In Spoon River the denizens of a small town in the American Midwest address the audience from beyond the grave. Eight local student actors portray dozens of characters depicted in the poems who each have their opportunity to reflect on their time on earth as they sit atop Oak Hill Cemetery. On “the hill” as it was called, the deceased citizens of the town confess their deepest secrets. From doctors to drunkards, everyone has the opportunity to reveal their innermost thoughts, their disappointments, and their joys.

When first published in 1915, the collection of poems was considered scandalous in Masters’ hometown of Lewistown, Illinois as Masters had done very little to cloak the real-life identities of the citizens of his local community. While the book was a huge success elsewhere in the country, it was banned in Lewistown where the residents were appalled that Masters had aired their dirty laundry for all to read. It would take another 60 years before the wounds healed and the ban was lifted.

The Playhouse’s production is directed by Meredith C. Brown who last directed the Education Department’s production of The Wolves. Since August, she has worked with the cast to create the varied characterizations of the townsfolk and each cast member must move swiftly from character to character.

The production is sponsored by New Hampton School and has further support from the NH Electric Co-op. Tickets can be purchased by calling 603-279-0333 or visiting www.winnipesaukeeplayhouse.org. Seating in the theatre will be socially distanced and patrons are required to wear masks at all times.