Published: 07:00 AM, Fri Mar 12, 2010
'The Member of the Wedding' hits stage at CFRT
In 2004, at age 9, Mary Mattison Vallery played Scout in a Cape Fear Regional Theatre production of "To Kill a Mockingbird." Six years later, she's taking on a somewhat similar role at the theater.
Vallery, now 15, portrays Frankie Addams in Carson McCullers' "The Member of the Wedding." The play, being presented in conjunction with the Cumberland County Public Library's Big Read program, opens Friday.
"It's very much like 'To Kill a Mockingbird'," said Bo Thorp, who directed both plays. "Frankie and Scout have a lot in common."
Along with "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter," "The Member of the Wedding" is McCullers' best-known work.
The story is set in Georgia in the 1940s. Frankie is a 12-year-old girl whose mother is deceased and whose father is emotionally distant.
Frankie is closest to the family's housekeeper, Berenice Sadie Brown. Probably her best friend closer to her own age is her younger cousin, John Henry West.
When Frankie's older brother announces plans to get married, it sets off a crisis of emotions for Frankie. She convinces herself that she is going to go off and live with her brother and his bride, a situation that the couple has no intention of allowing to happen.
The novel was made into a 1952 movie starring Julie Harris as Frankie. The 1991 movie "My Girl" also bears a strong resemblance to the story.
Along with Vallery, CFRT's production of "The Member of the Wedding" stars Sharon Smith McNair as Berenice and Jeremy Ragland as John Henry West. Rachel Brittain is the understudy in the role of Frankie, and is scheduled to play the role at the March 25 and 26 evening performances and the March 27 matinee.
In all, the play features a cast of about 15.
Thorp said the theater performed the play once before, about 25 years ago. When she heard that the library was going to explore McCullers' life and work, focusing on "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter," she thought this might be a good time to revisit it.
Thorp said the play has much the same feel as "Mockingbird," from the Southern setting to the character of the tomboyish, motherless girl.
"It's very nostalgic of the period," she said.
Both McNair and Vallery are new to the play, and are sharing a stage for the first time.
McNair, who teaches chorus at E.E. Smith High, has appeared in many CFRT productions over the years. She was in "Fences," "A Raisin in the Sun" and, most recently, "Porgy and Bess."
Although she is only a high school freshman, Vallery has become a familiar presence on the CFRT stage. Just this year, she has starred as Eponine in "Les Miserables" and as Wendy in "Peter Pan."
Vallery said she can identify with her character because they are around the same age. Also, Frankie is described as being tall and Vallery said she can relate to that, having undergone a recent growth spurt.
"Some of the language is a little different, but the characters are not too hard to identify with," she said.
McNair said Berenice represents a different type of character for her.
"For me, it's the chance to do a dramatic role, because most people think of me as a singer," she said. "I have an opportunity to be dramatic, and I love it."
Staff writer Rodger Mullen can be reached at mullenr@fayobserver.com or 486-3561.
"The Member of the Wedding"
Where: Cape Fear Regional Theatre, 1209 Hay St.
When: Friday through March 28
Tickets: $12 for Friday's preview. Other tickets range from $17 to $23
Information: 323-4233 or www.cfrt.org