“…Sometimes being held to high standards isn't always comfortable, but up until the very last piece, Dag tells us he thinks there is room and talent for Lexington theater to grow. I concur, and I just saw more evidence of it last night.

I took a drive to Louisville to see Lafayette High and Transylvania University graduate Stephanie Pistello's production of Tennessee Williams' Candles to the Sun at Actors Theatre. It was only the third United States production of the play ever, and Stephanie brought it crackling to life with an immediacy that made it seem productions one and three were 69 days, not 69 years apart. The audience that caught that show at Actors Theatre of Louisville was transported into the claustrophobic world, above and below ground, of Alabama coal miners in the early 20th Century. Riveting and sadly still timely, especially after waking up this morning to read Lee Mueller's front-page story about widows of the Sago mine disaster. And check the details of this show: A 25-year-old woman, raised and educated in Lexington, brought together a troupe to present only the third performance (and first professional performance) of the first play by an American Master at one of the nation's leading regional theaters.

We grow good actors and directors here in Lexington…and I'd say add Stephanie to the list…Could we create a theatrical environment lucrative enough for some theater folks to reside here, while practicing their crafts in and out of Kentucky? It's up to the creative community, and it's up to the audience.”

- Rich Copley, Lexington Herald-Leader

Articles

New York Troupe brings Tennessee Williams’ ‘Candles to the Sun’ to town for a rare staging, Louisville Eccentric Observer – August 15, 2006
By Sherry Deatrick