The Milwaukee Post

September 25, 2015 • Milwaukee County Post • 17 ENTERTAINMENT 'Lily Dale' reflects grim life reflected in 'Orphan's Home Cycle' series By JULIE MCHALE Post Theater Critic WAUWATOSA — In Horton Foote's last years, after a life of prolific playwriting, he ven- tured into his last ambitious work, "Orphan's Home Cycle," a series of nine plays about small-town life in Texas over a period of 30 years, following the fortunes and misfortunes of three families. Wisconsin Lutheran College hopes to re-create all nine plays over a period of years. Last sea- son it did the first play, "Roots in a Parched Ground," and this season it is doing the third in the sequence, "Lily Dale." In our present age of over- hyped, electronically sophisti- cated, action-packed entertain- ment, these stories of ordinary people may seem boring, but once one gets into a different time zone, one recognizes that the struggles of human life are quite universal and the stress- es we all suffer are really quite similar. It's just the context that changes. Horace Robedaux, the char- acter whom this cycle follows from age 11 to 37, is returning to Houston to visit his mother and sister. His mother has re- married after the untimely death of her first husband, Horace, Horace's and Lily Dale's father, a man who appar- ently drank himself into an early grave. Her new husband, Pete Davenport, is a surly, dom- ineering man, and for some reason we are not made privy to, he dislikes his stepson Horace. This tension domi- nates the whole play. Horace is still beloved by his mother, Corella, but she is torn between her love for her son and her loyalty to her husband, who apparently rescued her and her daughter from poverty after Horace Sr.'s death. She does not seem particularly fond of her second husband but is bound to him out of a sense of duty and gratitude. Keela Coppersmith captures the painful duality of her roles as mother and wife and is defi- nitely one of the characters we care about. Horace, so sensitively played by Thomas Sebald, is a sincere but tortured soul. He longs to develop his intellect but is living in "parched ground." His sister Lily Dale (Macie Laylan), immature and pampered by her stepfather, is too shallow to want to explore the past and the painful memo- ries it entails. She escapes into the world of piano music and pretty dresses every chance she gets. One wonders if her upcoming marriage to Will (Grant Coppersmith) will ever flourish. Horace's attempts to connect with her are quite futile. One feels a sense of help- lessness at times in this play and the effort to change almost insurmountable to some of the characters. Directed by Simon Provan, Standouts in the cast are Thomas Sebald and Keela Coppersmith. All the other actors had shining moments but were not as consistent. At a glance "Lily Dale" The play is at 7:30 p.m. through Saturday in the Raabe auditorium at Wisconsin Lutheran College, 8815 W. Wisconsin Ave., Wauwatosa. Visit www.wlc.edu/arts or call 414-443-8802. THIS SATURDAY AT THE 6TH & HOWARD OPEN 1PM-5PM 246123102 Bell Ambulance • Culvers Jet Intermodal • Nowak Chiropractic THIS WEEK AT THE GARDEN DISTRICT FARMERS' MARKET What's Fresh This Week Autumn has arrived and hardy mums are here - you can't eat em but they sure are pretty. Custom Grown Greenhouse joins the market with beautiful mums at fantastic prices. All the ingredi- ents your autumn recipes require are here from beets, beans, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, chard, cucumbers, garlic, kale, kohlrabi, patty- pan, potatoes, peppers, tomatillos, kohlrabi, onions, squash, watermelons and more! We're also joined this week by Clock Shadow Creamery, Elsen Orchard, 5 Lilies Artisan Jams, Golden Eggroll, Log Cabin Orchard, Magpie's Gourmet Dog Treats, Soap of the Earth, and amazing flowers. Follow us on Facebook for updates. Featured Grower: Golden Eggroll Ka Xiong Lee came to Milwaukee 16 years ago from Thailand and after working in manu- facturing for many years decided to parlay her personal recipes into a business. This is her first year with us and she creates delectable fried rice, rangoon, stuffed chicken wings, spring rolls and egg rolls. Top it off with a sweet bubble tea and your late afternoon snack is complete. Golden Eggroll also sells at the Walker Square Market. Next Week! On October 3rd, The Garden District fall Fest will include a 2PM performance by Koh's Wild Theater, face painting by Colleen, crafts and games. We're signing up pumpkin painters (6 per half hour) at the info table. More informa- tion coming. Meet Us at the Information Booth Weekly 50/50 Raffle Come to the information booth, meet our vol- unteers, join the email list. Learn about all the wonderful things happening in the Garden District and help us grow - with free seeds! Vendors Welcome 10 x 10 spaces at Half Season or daily rates of $25 are available. Contact Jenn at (414) 212-5215 or visit our website for more information. Market updates and schedules are online at gardendistrictfarmersmarket.com and our Facebook page; http://facebook.com/gardenDistrictFarmersMarket The Garden District Farmers' Market is presented by the Garden District Neighborhood Association and sponsored by; STORE CLOSING SALE! 246123093 1303 N. 4th Street (2 Blocks North of Bradley Center) New Store Hours Mon-Fri 9-7, Sat 9-6, Sun 10-5 This Location Only! SALE ENDS SOON ENTIRE STOCK 50 % OFF* NOW *Some exclusions apply, see store for details. Discounts apply to in stock products only. All sales are final. Not valid on prior sales. No phone orders, special orders or layaways. Terms: Cash and Major Credit Cards Accepted. to 75 % REGULAR PRICES PRICES SLASHED AGAIN… HURRY! All Paint $ 3 75 -$15 Gallon Benjamin Moore, Pratt & Lambert, Valspar, Clark + Kensington, Rustoleum, Minwax and more Church Directory To advertise in this section, contact Julia at 414-744-6370 ext. 17 Milwaukee Messiah Evangelical Lutheran Church 2015 E. Fernwood Ave. 414-744-2170 Pastor Curtis Golm 262-308-2911 Sunday Worship Time: 9:30am Bible Class: 10:45am Preschool hours: Mon.-Thurs. 9:00-11:45am www.messiahlutheranchurchandpreschool.com

• Cover