Theater Review: Compelling star inspires in 'Amish Project'

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Forgiveness is a strange thing. It seems easy for us to let someone off the hook for minor transgressions, but we have trouble understanding how family members of mass shooting victims can say they forgive the shooter, as happened last month in Charleston, S.C.

Katherine Michelle Tanner plays seven distinct characters in the Banyan Theater Company production of Jessica Dickey's fictionalized account of school shootings in Nickel Mines, Pa. in 2006. MARIA LYLE PHOTO/PROVIDED BY BANYAN THEATER

Katherine Michelle Tanner plays seven distinct characters in the Banyan Theater Company production of Jessica Dickey's fictionalized account of school shootings in Nickel Mines, Pa. in 2006. MARIA LYLE PHOTO/PROVIDED BY BANYAN THEATER

Forgiveness is at the heart of Jessica Dickey’s once-again timely one-woman play “The Amish Project,” which brings a wonderfully vibrant Katherine Michelle Tanner back to the Banyan Theater Company to play all seven characters in this fictionalized account of a 2006 school shooting involving Amish students in Nickel Mines, Pennsylvania, in 2006.

Tanner plays two of the young girls killed in the classroom, the shooter, his widow, a college professor explaining the nature of the Amish people and assorted others from the community. Each character is distinct, from the voice to mannerisms and attitude, even as the play jumps around among the various personalities. Though the play is somewhat scattershot in its telling, Tanner makes it easy to follow and pick up where each character left off.

Read more: A play for troubled times

In the two years since she first played the roles at American Stage in St. Petersburg, Tanner has only grown stronger, more confident and compelling. She is directed once again Todd Olson, the former artistic director of American Stage, who gives the show alternating moments of sweetness, ordinariness and tension.

Together they tell a story that is heartbreaking, inspiring and compassionate as we learn about the ways and beliefs of Amish people and how they could be so open to forgiveness, despite their heartbreak.

Katherine Michelle Tanner is seen as the chain-smoking Carol, the widow of a troubled man who killed Amish girls in a Pennsylvania school house, in a scene from the Banyan Theater Company production of "The Amish Project." MARIA LYLE PHOTO/PROVIDED BY BANYAN THEATER

Katherine Michelle Tanner is seen as the chain-smoking Carol, the widow of a troubled man who killed Amish girls in a Pennsylvania school house, in a scene from the Banyan Theater Company production of "The Amish Project." MARIA LYLE PHOTO/PROVIDED BY BANYAN THEATER

Tanner practically skips onto the stage as the youngest character, Velda, a giggly and playful girl who delights in drawing stick figures of her family, gossiping and dreaming. Then Tanner suddenly stands a bit taller to become Velda’s graceful older sister, Anna, who walks on top of the wooden chairs and talks about flying over the town and observing everyone, including her father at home.

The widow, Carol, dealing with her own horrifying reality, chain smokes and slouches in a chair while talking, while America, a lively Hispanic girl, emphasizes her comments with finger snaps. And then there are the harrowing images of the clearly troubled shooter, Eddie, who is seen in a shadowy spotlight in Michael Pasquini's impressive lighting design.

Don Laurel Jordan’s wooden classroom setting, with frames for windows and six plain chairs, creates an aura of simplicity, and Tanner seems comfortable in the blue Amish dress and white bonnet designed by Cristy Owen, even though they seem to disappear when she’s playing the non-Amish characters.

In just under 80 minutes, Tanner draws you into a different world, gets you involved and makes you feel all the joys, sorrows and promises that life can present.

THEATER REVIEW
THE AMISH PROJECT
By Jessica Dickey. Directed by Todd Olson. Reviewed July 16, Banyan Theater Company, Cook Theatre, FSU/Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Through Aug. 2. 351-2808; banyantheatercompany.com

THEATER REVIEW
THE AMISH PROJECT
By Jessica Dickey. Directed by Todd Olson. Reviewed July 16, Banyan Theater Company, Cook Theatre, FSU/Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Through Aug. 2. 351-2808; banyantheatercompany.com
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Jay Handelman

Jay Handelman is the theater and television critic for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, where he has worked since 1984. He also is President of the Foundation of the American Theatre Critics Association and a two-time past chairman of the association's executive committee. He can be reached by email or call (941) 361-4931. Follow him at @jayhandelman on Twitter. Make sure to "Like" Arts Sarasota on Facebook for news and reviews of the arts.
Last modified: July 31, 2015
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