“Most of what follows is true.” This declaration, made several times by each of the four actors playing the title character in the joint Buntport Theater/square product theatre production of Peggy Jo and the Desolate Nothing, frames the evening perfectly at the start. Not surprisingly, it is difficult to tell what is true and what is not. Since, as noted in the play “all storytelling is selective,” and as Buntport has argued many times in the past, most articulately in their 2008 production of Musketeer, art not only allows us to go beyond literal truth, it demands it. Telling a story is a creative process – it may start with something that “really happened,” but to stay tied to that is to limit the expression of creativity. Buntport understands this “truth,” never flinching as they frequently remind the audience watching not to believe everything, but entice us to enjoy the story and its telling for what they are: good theater.
The story of Peggy Jo and the Desolate Nothing is fascinating. Without the convention of mundane sequential time, the play tells us of Peggy Jo Tallas, a woman who robbed several banks in Texas wearing a fake beard, sunglasses, and a cowboy hat. We learn who she is, a few highlights of her life, and also explore some of the reasons that she may have done what she did. Four actors play Peggy Jo, each capturing different aspects of the character, with the fifth actor playing Agent Steve Powell. Throughout the play, the actors each take on additional roles but do so in character, which adds another layer of storytelling. There are also diverse, unique, and sometimes hilarious elements woven throughout, including most notably a pet duck, a billboard quote, and references to the movie Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. All of this makes for a script with depth, meaning, comedy, intrigue, entertainment, and even some suspense.
All elements of the show, including creating, directing, and designing, are done collaboratively at Buntport, this time with Emily K. Harrison of square product theatre added in. The direction of the show is tight, using the wide stage well, staging scenes across in front of and on the clever representation of an RV that dominates the stage. The insertion of an unexpected dance number near the end was a pleasant surprise, adding yet another dimension to the storytelling.
Buntport’s actors have a way of concealing their acting talent with outrageousness, letting the audience think they are just being silly, when there is really much more substance and skill there. Each of the four title characters captures a different aspect of Peggy Jo. Hannah Duggan delivers much of the narrative content, revealing much about the character, both in the exposition, in the way she tells the story, and the way she interacts with others. Emily K. Harrison is the younger, quirky Peggy Jo, also capturing Peggy Jo’s mother well. Brian Colonna (who has a lot of fun playing a woman disguised as a man without affectation) is the bold, bank robbing Peggy Jo. Colonna also is notable with his exceptional hip action in the dance sequence. Erin Rollman is the more intense, serious, and even audacious Peggy Jo, silent throughout most of the show, but compelling us to listen when she does speak. Rollman covers the more serious material very well, and brings the comedy back to reality at the conclusion of the show. The only actor not playing Peggy Jo is Erik Edborg, as FBI Agent Steve Powell, trying to present himself as the objective factual source, but never able to separate himself from the story, especially when uncomfortably confronted with his own inconsistencies.
The set design is wonderful, tightly integrated with the production due to the collaborative nature of its creation. The chassis of an RV sits on a road going across the stage, “heading towards nothing, coming from nothing”. A single billboard emerges out of the back wall, creating an interesting visual perspective. The lighting enhances things nicely, including the outline of the RV on the back wall during the night scene. The costumes meet the needs of each character well, helping to selectively connect the different personas of Peggy Jo, and adding simple elements such as a jacket or a pair of glasses to transform characters temporarily.
Peggy Jo and the Desolate Nothing is quintessential Buntport. An interesting story is told, with the storytelling is as important as the story – the two are integrated and inseparable. This production is new, fresh, and unlike anything else you will see anywhere else. So give yourself a treat and head down to Buntport for an evening with Peggy Jo.
-Craig Williamson, June 6, 2014, North Denver Tribune