By Crystal Hayduk
Whether your ideal getaway is self-care at the spa or primitive camping in the wilderness, escape to The Purple Rose Theatre Company (PRTC) to see What Springs Forth, the final production of the company’s 33rd season.
Two middle-aged moms set out together on a road trip to support their friend’s latest business venture, a spa sanctuary. They discover the remote destination doesn’t meet their expectations, thanks to their college friend’s new business partner who has put a fresh spin on the word “survival.”
Will their friendship endure communication snafus, forest toilets, and bears?
What Springs Forth, by award-winning playwright Carey Crim, makes its world premiere on the PRTC stage. Crim has a recognized talent for creating stories about relevant topics with empathy and humor, and What Springs Forth delivers on all counts. During the performance, patrons laughed so loud and long that on a few occasions, I lost a little bit of the dialogue. The audience even responded to one character’s observations with enthusiastic applause mid-show.
Sonja Marquis portrays Sallie Ben, an elegant woman from the South. She appreciates Elvis, nice clothes, and considers skin care products as equal to a survival kit. Dwandra Nickole plays Robyn, a woman with a bottomless purse and dreams to match.
Sallie Ben and Robyn do their best to support Emma—played by Sarab Kamoo—in her latest scheme to manifest income. Malou (Suzi Regan), a natural leader with wilderness skills, is guiding Emma. Or is she?
Kamoo is a PRTC Resident Artist. Although you might recognize her from previous shows, it’s more likely you’ll consider her vaguely familiar at best. She becomes each character she portrays so well that you need to read her program bio to remember which plays you’ve seen her in before. Kamoo’s Emma is the show’s protagonist, who exhibits growth to be proud of during the 90-minute play.
Regan brings endless energy in her role as wild woman Malou. She is a force of nature—and a force to be reckoned with.
Marquis and Nickole are new to the PRTC stage, but I hope they’ll be returning. Both women are hilarious and animated. The friendship chemistry between them seems so natural that it’s easy to believe the two may really have been college roommates.
Sarah Pearline brought the wow factor to her scenic design. Together with Noele Stollmack’s lighting design, the audience gains the impression of being in the forest.
Sound design by Victoria Deiorio was on the mark. Overture music took us back to the college days of the play’s characters. Sound effects throughout the show were accurately placed and believable. (Look out for the bear.)
The show is fast-paced with sidesplitting banter and slapstick comedy. Mark your calendar for a hilarious getaway with What Springs Forth.
Note: Contains adult content; may not be suitable for children under the age of 13. Water haze is used during the show; there is no intermission.
What: What Springs Forth is a world premiere comedy by playwright Carey Crim.
When: Now playing through Aug. 31; seven performances a week—evenings and matinees. See schedule on the PRTC website.
Where: The Purple Rose Theatre Company, 137 Park St.
Director: Kate Thomsen, assisted by K. Edmonds; intimacy direction and fight choreography by Alexis Black.
Cast: Sarab Kamoo, Sonja Marquis, Dwandra Nickole, and Suzi Regan
Design: Set by Sarah Pearline, lighting by Noele Stollmack, sound by Victoria Deiorio, properties by Danna Segrest, costumes by Suzanne Young.
Stage manager: Stefanie Din, assisted by Juliana Berry.
Managing director: Katie Hubbard.
Tickets: Available on the website or by calling the box office at 734-433-7673.
About the Purple Rose Theatre Company: Founded in 1991 by actor, director, playwright, musician and Chelsea native Jeff Daniels, the Purple Rose Theatre Company is a creative home for original American plays. New for the 2023-24 season, all productions will be staged in the round, with seating on all four sides of the stage. This provides an additional 40 seats for the audience, while maintaining an intimate encounter with live theatre.
