Everett, Wash.
Published: Friday, October 31, 2008

'Saint Heaven': Play takes spiritual, social journey

Village Theatre's "Saint Heaven" uses gospel, country and R&B melodies to examine a certain type of Southern society.

By Theresa Goffredo
Herald Writer

 In the Pentecostal churches of the Deep South, people who speak in tongues can become quite physical and really flail around a lot.

But on the stage of Village Theatre, there's safety to consider, said actress Tanesha Ross.

"We've got safety reasons so I don't go as crazy as I could be," she said. "But I give a taste of what it's like, what it's like for a person to jump around and speak in tongues."

Ross takes on the role of the charismatic and spiritually gifted Eshie Willington when Village Theatre's production of "Saint Heaven" opens tonight at Everett Performing Arts Center. This new musical, infused with gospel, country and R&B, runs through Nov. 23.

Though possessed with the gift of tongues, Eshie is also plagued with pain from seizures. It's 1957 in Kentucky and there isn't much information about epilepsy. But that is part of Eshie's personal and spiritual journey: Is it a gift or does she have some kind of neurological disorder?

To complicate this journey is doctor Thom Rivers, who has begrudgingly returned to his hometown of Saint Heaven for his father's funeral, intending to just settle affairs and leave. But he meets family and friends and is confronted with some unresolved issues. He also meets Eshie and counsels her about medicine she might take to help reduce her seizures.

"But if I take it, does that mean my gift goes away? On a deeper level, that screws up her faith. What does that say about what she believes," Ross pondered in a recent phone conversation.

There also develops a mutual attraction between the doctor and Eshie, something not accepted at that time in the South because he is white and she is black. But the two charm each other, adding tension to the story, Ross said.

"Here's this guy who has answers for her and that's a big deal," Ross said. "Others have since ignored her plight, saying 'all you got is the gift. That's all that matters. Sorry your head hurts.' "

"Saint Heaven" is about these two prime characters but also takes the audience on a greater journey of forgiveness, racial equality and self-discovery. It's not one of those musicals where everything is sweet, Ross said, though the music certainly is.

One of the signature songs of "Saint Heaven" is "The Gift," a beautiful number that challenges listeners to embrace the gifts we all have inside, Ross said.

"People really do enjoy the music. It's not very typical. It's gospel and country-influenced," she said. "What's nice is the story deals with a lot of real issues and in a more realistic way. It's not one of those musicals where everything is happy and great. … It deals with people who are sort of numb from not allowing themselves to feel."

Ross is performing in "Saint Heaven" on the heels of her knock-out performance in Elton John and Tim Rice's "Aida." She also was in Village Theatre's production of "Evita" and most recently played Nicolette in the Village Originals reading of "Chasing Nicolette." Ross, who didn't want to give her age, went to Cornish College of the Arts, majored in jazz but got drawn into musical theater.

"Saint Heaven," a new musical by Keith Gordon and Martin Casella, also features Broadway talent Kingsley Leggs as Pastor Joe Bertram, Seattle favorite and fresh off the national tour of "Menopause The Musical" Cynthia Jones, and New York resident Allan Snyder, who makes his Village Theatre debut as Thom Rivers.

Ross said "Saint Heaven" deals with some somber issues but comes together with a positive, yet surprising, ending in which resolution plays a prime role.



Reporter Theresa Goffredo: 425-339-3424 or goffredo@heraldnet.com.
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