"The
Sparrow" flew in from The House Theatre of Chicago and landed on the
Carnival Studio Theatre stage in the Ziff Ballet Opera House. The
production was written by Jake Minton, Chris Mathews and Nathan Allen.
Mr. Allan is also given credit for directing and conceiving the play
with choreography by Tommy Rapley and original music by Kevin O'Donnell.
From seeing the show you will know why major credit should be given to
the lighting designer, Ben Wilhelm, the sound designer, Michael Griggs,
and the video designer, Lucas Merino.

The
story revolves around Emily Book, who has telekinetic powers, involved
with a bus crashing into a train and killing the whole class, including
the bus driver, except for her. She has been sent away for about 10
years and is now returning to her old school for her senior year. Being
an orphan, and her only living family, her grandmother, having died, she
stays with the McGuckin family who daughter died in the crash.

The
science teacher, Dan Christopher, offers a hand of friendship and
'volunteers' Jenny McGrath, the school's class president and head
cheerleader. We follow Emily's journey as she interacts with the
townspeople and other students. It is at a homecoming basketball game
that the students, Mr. Christopher and the rest of the town find out
about her powers when she uses them to fly and save a student.

It
is after an incident of jealousy, and her use of her telekinetic power,
that people come to realize that she could have caused the bus accident
of so many years ago and the town turns on her. Emily uses her power
one more time before the sparrow flies away.

The
cast of 13, including Carolyn Defrin who originated the role of Emily
in 2007, do their best with what they have, including 10 of them playing
multiple roles. Shawn Pfautsch, as the science teacher, comes off best
as his role has the most depth and is  age appropriate. He does a funny
lip-sync and dance to a Frank Sinatra song which is a hit with the
audience.

"The Swallow" is a multi media
production including acting, dancing, videos, all kinds of lighting and
sounds to advance the story. The concept of the show, done in a small
playing area, is a tribute to all the production people involved, under
the direction of Mr. Allen.

When the
rights are released I can see the play being put on by many high schools
and local theatres but, if as rumored, it was/is planned for
off-Broadway my reaction is that New York won't embrace it.

Cast:
Carolyn Defrin, Paige Hoffman, Michael E. Smith, Joey Steakley, Abu
Ansari, Ele Matelan, Clay Goodpasture, Brandon Ruiter, Shawn Pfautsch,
Marika Mashburn, Caitlin Chuckta, Trista Smith and Abigail Boucher.

Act 1 1 hour and 1 minute   Intermission 16 minutes  Act 2 50 minutes  total  2 hours and 2 minutes

Gun shots, strobe lights and loud sounds
Carnival
Studio Theatre stage in the Ziff Ballet Opera House at the Adrienne
Arsht Center for the Performing Arts--Miami, Florida playing until May
1.