|
Reviews of Shows based on Lee Smith's Works
"You and Jeff were fabulous with the Lee Smith
shows. I continue to hear wonderful comments."
—Larry Alan Smith, Executive Director, Wintergreen Summer Festival, VA
IVY ROWE
In New York:
A rare and heartfelt performance that pays tribute to the women of Appalachia- and to the heroism of strugglers everywhere — Herbert Mitgang of the New York Times
Theatrical Excitement! A lifetime’s worth of sass, whoop, hurt and reflection— The Village Voice
“Ivy Rowe” seems both special & real— Newsday
Actress Smith makes a sterling New York debut as she blossoms from the blush of youth into womanhood, then to sagacious old age. Her portrayal becomes a lesson in living, and one that few actresses would begin to achieve.
—New Jersey Sun Bulletin
Both funny and heartbreaking— Variety
We are captivated and enthralled, brought to laughter and tears. Smith gives a flawless performance; she is superb. —WOR Radio
It’s like watching a young cherry tree grow, bloom, blossom and finally stand tall on a mountainside… This stunning actress portrays the Ages of Woman… Don’t miss this one! —Entertainment Network
Ivy Rowe seems like a real person’s bio. Smith spans six decades with believability and zest— Theater Week
Touring:
Barbara Bates Smith is as convincing as an emotional teenage girl in 1912 as she is as a married thirtysomething having a wild affair with a local honey farmer. —The Scotsman (Edinburgh)
Lee Smith has called Barbara’s performance as IVY ‘brilliant.’ —Virginia Mountaineer
A performance that theater legends are made of —Cape May Star
A mesmerizing evening of theater and a tour-de-force for the actress —Birmingham News
Eloquent One-Woman Play Speaks fromthe Heart to Everyone! —Atlantic City Press
Ivy Rowe is powerful, absorbing.” —Evansville Courier
A patchwork of love and compromise is rendered vividly in this affecting production —Philadelphia Inquirer
Dazzling... A totally engrossing work that will fill your heart. —Lakeland Ledger
I was thrilled with Ivy 20 years ago; I find it richer and deeper now. —Lu Ellsworth, Dean, UVA-Wise Law School
“Ivy Rowe” continues to captivate and inspire our teacher
groups, focusing on writing,
personal narrative, sense of place, resilience in the face of hardships, and
environmental issues. The story is so rich, the talent so outstanding, it would
enhance any sponsor's programming effort. —Donna Glee Williams, Ph.D., N.C. Center for the Advancement
of Teaching
It
was the #1 best-loved event of the Festival. It was magic! —Silas House,
Mountain Heritage Literary Festival
This touted production delighted us with its celebration of the human
spirit and its vivid depiction of 20th century Appalachia: the mine disasters, revivals, bulldozers, rural
electrification. The Theater Department wants to bring them
back for a statewide gathering. —Kat D. Williams, Ph.D., Director of Women’s Studies, Marshall University
The
prolonged standing ovation at the Colonial Theatre says it all! —Michael
Beadle, Arts Council, Waynesville NC
I've never seen a better performance. It was incredible. A friend asked, "How did y'all ever get anything like that to come to Brundidge?—Jaine Treadwell, WPA Theatre, Brundidge AL
Jeff Sebens is a genius as
Barbara's accompanist, seamlessly making the music a major, integral part
of the story.
—Lee Smith, author,
Fair and Tender Ladies
Afterward we talked aboutopportunities we could create to bring literature to life in our community and on
our campus. I think that emergent energy
might be your best, most lasting gift to us here at WPCC.
— Cheryl Oxford, PhD, West Piedmont Community College, NCI
ON AGATE HILL
ON AGATE HILL LETS SMITH SHINE IN PERFORMANCE
by Jim Cavener, Asheville Citizen-Times, September 14, 2007
(Excerpts)
ASHEVILLE – Local actress Barbara Bates Smith has made a virtual career of adapting author Lee Smith’s popular novels into one-woman shows. She’s best known for “Ivy Rowe,” based on the writer’s “Fair and Tender Ladies.” Now, Bates Smith is doing Lee Smith’s latest novel, “On Agate Hill,” at the N.C. Stage Company.The two Smiths — no relation — seem made for each other. Both are Southern, born and bred.
Bates Smith is a marvel as she slips from character to character: a harsh schoolmistress, a teacher and a mountain man, each identified by a tall table with a signature item on top. But, mostly she is Molly, moving from her ‘cubby-hole’ in the wrecked plantation, to a range of sites in two states over half-century’s time... And it all moves seamlessly with Bates Smith’s skill and Suzanne Tinsley's deft direction.
Part of the glue that holds the tale together is the talented vocal, banjo and hammer dulcimer score by Jeff Sebens. The tunes chosen for this production are both familiar and new, but all aid in creating the mood necessary to convey the touching and often poignant story.
I was happy to meet you and see your wonderful performance. —Ron Rash, author
This adaptation is magnificent. It goes right to the heart of the story —Lee Smith
Your "On Agate Hill" piece is poetry —Kay Byer, Poet Laureate, North Carolina
Barbara Bates Smith is living proof that books can change lives... The Winchester Star
The evaluations were phenomenal. Your average score on a scale of one to ten was TEN!
—Silas House,
Mountain Heritage Literary Festival
An unqualified rave to this actress and her musician for their production!..... Thoroughly engaging...
—Rob Neufeld, Director, "Together We Read," Western North Carolina
The reception of "On Agate Hill" at Mars Hill College is an unqualified recommendation to any prospective audience. Barbara Bates Smith has done "Ivy Rowe" from Lee Smith's Fair and Tender Ladies for years to rave reviews. This performance, with the musical accompaniment of Jeff Sebens, was fantastic.
—Dr. Carol Boggiss, English Professor, Mars Hill College
Mrs. Smith's performance blew me away! I still cannot see how she portrayed so many characters, each with its own voice and persona— A student of Dr. Carol Boggiss, Mars Hill College
It was cool to learn in the Q&A session that she listens to the music to stay on track —Student, Mars Hill College
With fluid transitions between characters and a sharp wit, Bates Smith drew the audience into her actions as if they were really happening.—Mars Hill student newspaper
B. SMITH DOES LEE SMITH
Amazing talent... The feedback was awesome.—Anita Machado, Bristol Public Library Foundation
Your performance at Oak Ridge was simply stunning. Also, your ability to adapt stories for the stage is something close to genius— Lee Smith
B. Smith brings characters to life in such a way, you’ll want to go running to your nearest book store or library to savor these stories for yourself — Michael Beadle, Smoky Mountain News
Thanks for the special insights into Lee Smith characters. You received rave reviews!
—Scott Oxford, Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina
It’s wonderful to watch characters of all ages spring into life with a gesture or a look or a word.
—Cathy Shields, Enterprise Mountaineer
All the conference participants raved about your performance.—Pat Boatner, Tennessee Mountain Writers
With a first-person honesty that’sas welcome as a front porch swing, these characters offer frank discussions about love and relationships—all with a flair for storytelling —Michael Beadle, Smoky Mountain News
CHRISTMAS LETTERS
Christmas Letters, the one-woman play adapted and performed by Barbara Bates Smith, ought to remind you why 44 cents, and words from the heart, are priceless.—Independent Weekly,“Our Pick,”Matt Saldana
We're delighted to have Barbara back on our stage after her successful run with "On Agate Hill." She is a gifted adapter and performer, able to take a book-length story and craft it into a taut and moving theatrical event. And she has found her ideal collaborator in North Carolina's own Lee Smith." —Deep Dish Artistic Director Paul Frellick
Bates, on stage, is so convincing... She's a gifted performer, and it shows.— Jim Wise, Raleigh News-Observer
I keep hearing wonderful comments about the performance. And the music was definitely an integral part of the story but without overshadowing the storyline.—Peggy Stanifer, Laurel County Public Library
Playwright/performer Barbara Bates Smith and her long-time collaborator, hammer dulcimer player extraordinaire Jeff Sebens, once again stirred the deepest emotions of audiences with her compelling new one-woman show. Smith creates another truly unforgettable character… a real steel magnolia who transformed the lemons that life dealt her into a delicious lemonade and passed along the recipe— Robert W. McDowell, Triangle Theater Review
The performance was, once again, outstanding and unforgettable. Christmas Letters put me in the spirit in just the right way.—Carla Shuford, writer and actress
Your performance
was magical. 'Mary' drew me in as a collaborator in her expose of
truth.
—The Reverend Harlie Bemis, St. Andrew's Episcopal Church
|
