ABET | Atlantic Beach Experimental Theatre

 

< SEASON 17 | 2008-2009

THE EXACT CENTER OF THE UNIVERSE

by JOAN VAIL THORNE

MAY 15-16, 22-24, 28-30 | 2009

MAIN STAGE | The Exact Center of the Universe revolves around Vada Love Powell, self-appointed doyenne of a small Southern town during the 1950s and 1960s. Her life is filled with drama and humorous moments. Used to getting her way, she meets her match when she tries to frighten away yet another prospective bride, Mary Ann Mele, for her adored son, Apple. We also meet her best friends, Marybell Baxter and Enid Symonds, who play canasta and eat sweets with Vada in Enid’s tree house.

Ten years later, still an imperious meddler, Vada is older, but not wiser. Apple and his wife, Mary Ann, an anthropologist, are the parents of twin girls. The girls take photographs of a nearly nude tribe to school, and Vada tells them that they should be ashamed. The twins run away from school, are found, but Mary Ann holds Vada accountable. She apologizes, but even this doesn’t change her behavior!

Directed by CELIA FRANK

with

DEL AUSTIN as Appleton Powell, Jr / Mr. Powell
LIBRA GYSEL as Vada Love Powell
CARLA LAHEY as Mary Lou / Mary Ann Mele
GWEN CORDES as Enid Symonds
ANNETTE PAGE as Marybell Baxter

REVIEWS

Gysel gives a first-rate performance as Vada Love Powell, striking the right balance of Southern charm, pretentiousness, bigotry and overbearing maternal love for her son.
- TAMARA McCLARAN, Shorelines | READ FULL REVIEW…

This play succeeds not only because it is well written but because of a remarkably good cast.
- DICK KEREKES, eu Jacksonville | READ FULL REVIEW…