Summertime Snow

Archipelago Theater Company's new production was conceived over a year ago, but Snow-which premieres Friday night in Reynolds Theater-will certainly make sense to Triangle residents after this winter's blizzard.

Ellen Hemphill, the show's director and co-author (and known to Duke audiences most recently as the director of The Crucible), argues that with the advent of snow, "the normal landscape changes drastically, and the same happens in life." Anyone present in Durham this January can confirm that observation.

In Snow, the fourth collaboration of Hemphill and Nor Hall, the Martin family of four siblings and three spouses comes together in upstate New York during the winter after their mother's death. The plot starts with a dispute over the family farm, but soon concentrates on the relationships between the individuals, their "underworld." The performance tries to capture "the mood that snow and family complexity create," Hemphill says.

Hemphill explains that her characters are all "in one family, but have separate concerns and lives," which are brought out into the open by the snow-almost the entire play is set outside. Hemphill adds that the piece demonstrates that even though all characters have supposedly had the same experiences, "everyone's perception of what they live is different." Through this device, Snow addresses such issues as memory, serenity, nature and buried conflicts.

The theme of differing perceptions is reinforced by two related aspects of the production: its multidisciplinarity and the actors' involvement. According to Hemphill, "the soundscape [designed by Sam Piperato] is very important." The piece is not straightforward drama, but tries to integrate "as much of the best of what an actor can do"-whether that be acting, singing, music or dance. Hemphill also had each actor bring in personal snow stories, some of which were integrated into the show.

Snow does not attempt to provide light entertainment, but hopes to provoke thoughts, soul and laughter. It presents, Hemphill says, a "human experience, so that the audience can relate to it."

Snow will be performed at Reynolds Theater ($16 reserved, $14 general, $8 students) at 8 pm, May 19-20 and 25-27. To purchase advance tickets call 684-4444. Tickets go on sale at 7:15 pm at the Reynolds Theater ticket window.