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Feature article
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Barter Theatre’s ‘Heaven Sent’ a story of spiritual redemption
By Marci Gore
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Kicked out of his church for using herbs as healing agents, Samuel Langley is a lonely, bitter old man. But when a young abandoned girl named Eppie — who herself is in need of a little love — finds her way to his doorstep, Langley soon finds redemption.
Written by Rick Whelan and directed by Mary Lucy Bivins, “Heaven Sent” is a resetting of George Eliot’s timeless novel “Silas Marner: The Weaver of Raveloe.”
Whelan’s “Heaven Sent” was a winner of the 2007 Appalachian Festival of Plays and Playwrights, Barter Theatre’s playwriting festival that celebrates Appalachian writers and the stories of the region.
Eugene Wolfe plays the part of Samuel Langley.
“This is a play about spiritual redemption,” Wolfe said. “[Langley] was kicked out of his church. The church took all his money. So, he’s become a bitter old hermit who lives up in the woods. But the events that follow, bring him back to his spirit and redeem him spiritually.”
With her innocent eyes, Eppie does not see Samuel like the rest of the town does. She looks past his disheveled appearance, long hair and beard.
“Because the little girl ends up at my house around Christmastime, she thinks I’m Santa Claus,” Wolfe said. “The two of us, we’re an odd match, and the town’s kind of worried about that. What’s that little girl doing up there at that old hermit’s house? But they’re all scared to death of me so they won’t really come and find out.
“But there is one old woman, she’s the nosy one in town, Mrs. Winthrop. And thank goodness for her, or nothing would ever get done. I tell her when she comes to my house that this little girl came to me. She came in from the cold...she wasn’t put off like most people. She came right to me, came right to my arms. I reckon that stands for something.”
Two actresses will portray young Eppie — Savannah Grace Willis of Radford, Va., and Halle Harrison of Abingdon, Va. The cast is rounded out by Tricia Matthews, Gwen Edwards, Nathan Whitmer, Ezra Colón, Julie Schroll, Andrew Hampton Livingston, J. Casey Barrett and Carrie Smith.
“Heaven Sent” runs through Nov. 14.
For more information or to order tickets, call 276-628-3991 or visit bartertheatre.com.
--------GoTriCities--------
“Heaven Sent”
WHEN: Oct. 8-Nov. 14
WHERE: Barter Theatre, Abingdon, Va.
COST: $28, $32, $36, adults; $17, children
CONTACT: 276-628-3991, bartertheatre.com
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