MIDDLEBURY — Deborah Lubar, a rare character actress indeed, brings her one-woman play “A Story’s A Story” to Town Hall Theater on Saturday, April 6, at 7:30 p.m.
Rose Solomon and Luigina Ponzini, two immigrant women of a hundred years ago meet on the boat coming to America and become first neighbors and then fast friends. Rose, who has the feisty humor of a Polish Jew raised in a small village is opinionated and peppery, recalling what a pain in the neck it was to be “just a girl” in that village. Luigina, an Italian Catholic from southern Italy, eccentric and passionate, near death as her story begins, prays to the Madonna for “one more miracle before I die.” She has struggled all her life with being misunderstood — by all except her best friend — Rose. Together these two women have helped each other brave the pain of being perceived as “Other” in cultures which reject those who are different.
Lubar’s one-woman shows are known for bringing to delicate, complex and spirited life the stories of women making difficult and courageous choices in hard times — women who challenge the rigidities and fears within their cultures and within themselves. Lubar’s unadorned “theatre of the miraculous” is a crucible in which to bear witness to the tragedies and celebrate the miracles of the human condition with laughter as well as tears and investigate the possibilities for survival, healing and change both within ourselves and a world at the edge.
All proceeds from this show benefit the financial aid program at the North Branch School in Ripton, serving students in grades 7-9.
Tickets are $20; seniors and students pay $15. Tickets may be purchased at townhalltheater.org, by calling (802) 382-9222, at the THT box office, or at the door an hour before show time.