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Rust Belt sinks its teeth into literary mash-up
By LORRAINE WARDLE
YOUNGSTOWN
What if famed American poet Emily Dickinson was actually a vampire hunter?
It’s probably not a question you ask very often, but it is certainly an interesting one. And it is a question Robert Dennick Joki poses with his latest production at Rust Belt Theater Company: “Emily Dickinson: Vampire Hunter.”
A few years ago, mash-ups of classic literature with horror themes became popular in books and movies, such as “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies” or “Little Women and Werewolves.” Joki wrote his latest play in a similar vein, if you will, adding vampires into the real life of American poet Emily Dickinson.
Joki roots his script in history. In the 1880s, Dickinson lived with her sister Lavinia – both unmarried – in their family home in Amherst, Mass. Their brother, Austin, lived close by and became enamored with a neighbor, Mabel Todd.
As the play begins, the character of Mabel, played sweetly by Lisa Torrence, narrates to the audience that Emily Dickinson is known in Amherst as the Myth. She wears only white, rarely leaves her home, and is in a deep depression after the death of her mother.
Joki’s writing brings the audience into the world of the Dickinson family. He often has Emily speaking in verse – her own poems, of course. Many of the songs, written by Joki and Josh Taylor, include Dickinson’s poems set to original, moving music. The inclusion of Dickinson’s poetry as dialogue and song emphasizes Emily’s depression and obsession with death.
To add a fantastical element to reality, and also add suspense to his production, Joki includes a mysterious character called the Master. The Master has some sort of magical hold on Emily, which her brother and sister are determined to break. The show grows more mysterious and suspenseful until the dramatic ending.
Joki’s cast is very talented. Marisa Zamary leads as Emily, with her lovely low vocals and perfectly morose performance. Josh Fleming, as Austin, is a strong performer with a beautiful voice who adds sentiment to the play. As Lavinia, Heather Powell was tough, smart and full of sass.
Kage Coven’s character, Toad, added a lively dose of comic relief. Coven was brilliant, from his stature to his accent to his musical solo. Torrence, Celena Coven and Joki completed the cast with their varied and impressive performances.
Everything in the candle-lit theater, including Joki’s beautiful Victorian costumes and the drapery on the stage, added to the dark, brooding mood of the production. “Emily Dickinson: Vampire Hunter” is a perfect transition into an autumnal frame of mind.
“Emily Dickinson: Vampire Hunter” continues at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday at Rust Belt Theater Company, inside the Calvin Center, 755 Mahoning Ave, near downtown Youngstown. Call 330-507-2358.