Eventide

With film and television studios looking for franchises (sequels, etc.), one wonders after seeing the world premiere of Eric Schmiedl's adaptation of Kent Haruf's Eventide—a follow up to the prior novel and dramatic prequel, Plainsong—if there might be a fitting big screen afterlife for this modern saga of the High Plains, now running at the Denver Center Theatre Company (DCTC).

(L to R) Mike Hartman as Raymond McPheron, Tonantzin Carmelo as Victoria Roubideaux, and Philip Pleasants as Harold McPheron Photo: Terry Shapiro

Fulfilling one of the many missions of a regional theatre company and with an eye to a future blockbuster in repertory, DCTC artistic director Kent Thompson delivers a profound meditation on rural life, worlds away from the urbs.

At the heart of the story are those irresistable bachelor brothers, Harold (Philip Pleasants) and Raymond (Mike Hartman) McPheron, cattle ranchers in the vicinity of Holt, "a small town on the plains of Colorado, the late 1980's."

A host of unforgettable characters and stories drift in and out of their lives, including Victoria Roubideaux (Tonantzin Carmelo), the young, unmarried pregnant teen age girl that they took in years ago.

Pleasants and Hartman pick up where they left off in Plainsong, with jocular repartee and brotherly affection. Carmelo's warm and caring portrayal anchors the ranch at the heart of the story, but the novelist's insight into the human condition resonates at every level.

(L to R) Lauren Klein as Rose Tyler, David Ivers as Luther Wallace, and Leslie O'Carroll as Betty June Wallace Photo: Terry Shapiro

The most compelling subplot is the tale of the Luther (David Ivers) and Betty June (Leslie O'Carroll) Wallace, a mentally-challenged couple with two young children (Ellie Schwartz and Thomas Russo). Our hearts ache as this family is repeatedly victimized by Betty June's brother, Hoyt Raines (William Zielinski), a violent small-time criminal. Ivers and O'Carroll are pitch perfect in their simplicity, confusion, and obsessions. Zielinski's malevolence is palpable. Schwartz and Russo hold their own in support of the pros.

(L to R) Augustus Lane Filholm as DJ Kephart and Ron Crawford as Walter Kephart Photo: Terry Shapiro

The Wallace's only safety net is Rose Tyler (Lauren Klein), from the county social services department. Klein finds great depth in-between Rose's compassion for the struggling couple and her responsibility to the children. Klein draws on this depth for Rose to woo Raymond and provide a sweet coda to the saga.

Another telling subplot is that of DJ Kephart (Augustus Lane Filholm), an adolescent who lives with his alcoholic grandfather, Walter Kephart (Ron Crawford), which returns us to the bar setting carried over from the prequel. Crawford's Walter is ornery to a tee, yet soft enough at the core to turn wistful when speaking of his daughter, DJ's mother.

(L to R) John Hutton as Tom Guthrie, Mike Hartman as Raymond McPheron, and Kathleen McCall as Maggie Jones Photo: Terry Shapiro

Maggie Jones (Kathleen McCall) and Tom Guthrie (John Hutton) follow up their love affair in the Plainsong with playing matchmaker, lending a helping hand, and narrating in Eventide. In a way, the stability of their relationship is a precursor to what we would expect from Raymond and Rose's new life together. McCall's Maggie and Hutton's Tom are comfortable with each other and comforting to others.

Telling character work from Sam Gregory, Geoffrey Kent, Carole Healey, Rebecca Martin, Joseph Yeargain, Jenna Panther and Drew Cortese completes the panoramic tableau.

Lauren Klein as Rose Tyler and Mike Hartman as Raymond McPheron Photo: Terry Shapiro

The DCTC design team keeps the scenic segues fluid despite the quick-cutting episodic structure.

The Denver Center Theatre Company's world premiere of Eric Schmiedl's adaptation of Kent Haruf's novel, Eventide, runs through February 27th. 303-893-4100.

Bob Bows