This week BYU will open its stage adaptation of "Sarah, Plain and Tall." The cast is relatively small with four adult actors and four child actors who bring to life Patricia Mac Lachlan's Newberry Award winning story. The characters triumph as they over come adversary and learn the importance of family.
"This is a story about how sacrifice, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, work and other essential elements can lead to the creation of a strong and happy family," said Allison Belnap, director for the performance. "It is also a story about change and how we each can choose to change for the better and let a little more light, a little more joy, a little more love into our lives."
The story has been adapted for theater by Joseph Robbinette. Belnap said the BYU performance seeks to find a happy medium between MacLachlan's book and Robbinette's theater adaptation.
MacLachlan's book is set in the Kansas Prairie in 1905. The Witting family is in need of a mother so the father of the family tries to take the initiative. Jared Harris, a junior from Holladay studying Sociology and film, plays Jacob Witting, the father. Harris said he describes his character as a struggling father and farmer who looks for answers in his family. In the play, Witting places an ad in a paper for a wife and mother for his two children, which is answered by a unique woman from Maine.
"She [Sarah] stands out for her time," said Emily Burnworth, from Mill Hall, Pa., who plays Sarah in the play. "She is her own person and her beliefs are important to her."
After answering the ad, Sarah travels to Kansas and is greeted by two young and wide-eyed motherless children: Anna and Caleb.
"He's [Caleb] sorta mischievous little 6-year-old," said Noah Autry, who plays the character. "He's very excited to have a mom in this play because he's never really had a mom before."
Autry is a 7-year-old new to the acting scene. His mother, Sandy Autry, said Noah has had stage experience by singing solos in stake conference. She said he is confident and thrives on being in front of a crowd.
"I am excited," Noah Autry said. "I'm not nervous. No, not one tiny bit."
Noah Autry said part of the reason he is excited is because he read the book and thinks it is "really funny." Many of the actors in the performance said they also read the book to prepare for the show and better depict their characters' feelings. Burnworth, who plays Sarah, said there is more conflict in the play than the book.
"I think anyone who loves the book will enjoy this production," said Belnap, the director. "If audience members have not read the book, this production may inspire them to do so. It is really a beautiful story."
Performances May 31 through June 17 (2006)
* Evening performances begin at 7:30 p.m.
* Tickets are $9 and $6 for students
* 2 p.m. matinees on June 8, 10, 15 and 17 for $5
* No shows on Sundays, Mondays and June 6-7
Copyright Brigham Young University 1 Jun 2006
