CrimesoftheHeart09

The Dorset Players’ third full-scale production this season was "Crimes of the Heart," playwright Beth Henley’s tragi-comedy about three sisters coping with one crisis after another. Proudly sponsored by Bickford Real Estate, performances were held at the Dorset Playhouse on Cheney Road in Dorset, Vermont at 7:30 pm on March 6, 7, 13 and 14 and at 2:00 pm on March 8 and 15.

Set in a small Mississippi hamlet in 1978, the play, which was awarded the 1981 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, follows the travails of one sister, Babe, who shot her husband because she "didn’t like his looks," Meg, a would-be country music singer who blossomed early but stumbled late, and Lenny, approaching her advancing age with "a shrunken ovary" and no romantic prospects. The play also features Chick, the sisters' priggish cousin, Barnette Lloyd, the green lawyer who takes on Babe’s legal defense, and Doc Porter, whose plans for a medical career ended with Hurricane Camille.

Lauren Smilansky, fresh from her turn in the title role in this season’s production of "The Little Mermaid," appeared as Babe. Christy Vogel, who won raves for her turn as Mozart’s spouse, Constanze, in last season’s production of "Amadeus," and appeared last fall as Simone Jenkins, the agent for a potential financial backer in "Room Service," was Meg. Making her debut on the Playhouse stage as Lenny was Sara Cohen.

Elizabeth Hazelton, remembered for her portrayal of Catherine in 2004's "Proof" and also appeared in "Don't Dress for Dinner" and "Moon over Buffalo," returned to the Playhouse stage as the sisters' interfering cousin, "Chick the Stick." Chris Restino, who played the title character in "Amadeus," as well as Faker in "Room Service," was Doc Porter. Newcomer Jeremy Perry, who assumed the role of Barnette Lloyd, completed the ensemble cast.