It is always a pleasant surprise to encounter a play or film that doesn’t portray fundamentalist Christians as psychopathic hillbilly caricatures, which seems to be how they are usually viewed by many of the secularists who work in the theatrical arts.
Romulus Linney’s 1971 drama “Holy Ghosts,” which is currently being presented by Spooky Action Theater, is one of those rare works. It is not a great play by any means, but, as this production proves, it can be a compelling one.
“…If nothing else, the music sure is catchy and toe-tapping.”
Set in the rural South, “Holy Ghosts” concerns Nancy Shedman (Jennifer Crooks), a young woman on the run from her brutal, hard-drinking husband, Coleman (Brandon Mitchell), who has taken refuge with a Pentecostal sect in their makeshift church. As the play opens, Nancy is confronted there by Coleman and his “counsel,” retired lawyer Rogers Canfield (John Feist).
Before they can come to terms, the evening’s services commence under the guidance of the Rev. Obediah Buckhorn Sr. (Steve Beall). The more Coleman learns about the congregation (that they practice snake-handling, for example), the more he tries to belittle them in Nancy’s eyes.
The script’s major flaw is its repetition. The basic situation — Coleman interrupts the services to insult the churchgoers, churchgoers respond, services continue — is repeated over and over again. Also, the miming of the snakes (an option specified by the script) damages the play’s sense of verisimilitude.
Still, under Richard Henrich’s direction, the production does have its assets. There is some fine acting, particularly by Feist, Beall and Don Kenefick as an elderly believer known as Cancer Man. Even better is the music performed live by cast members Jim Breen (on blues harp) and Steve McWilliams (on electric guitar).
Despite its imperfections, Spooky Action’s “Holy Ghosts” offers audiences a glimpse of a world that is seldom depicted in balanced terms. And, if nothing else, the music sure is catchy and toe-tapping.
‘Holy Ghosts’
Spooky Action Theater’s production of “Holy Ghosts” runs through April 1.
Venue: Montgomery College’s Black Box Theatre, corner of Philadelphia and Chicago avenues, Takoma Park
Performances: 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays
Tickets: Free
More info: 202-248-0647 or www.spookyaction.org
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