Rosebud Theatre’s The Syringa Tree a powerful must-see

By Laureen F. Guenther Times Contributor

The Syringa Tree, a one-woman play about a girl growing up in the apartheid era of South Africa, opened at Rosebud’s Studio Stage on July 7. The play, written by Pamela Gien and directed by Rosebud Theatre’s Artistic Director Morris Ertman, will run until Sept. 2.

Katharine Venour gives the one-woman performance, primarily playing Elizabeth, the beloved young daughter of a wealthy white family. Elizabeth’s beloved black nanny Salamina gives birth to a daughter named Moliseng, who grows up, in hiding, within Elizabeth’s family.

Elizabeth, her family, and her country all grow toward maturity together. As Elizabeth’s expanding awareness is governed by the secrets and terrors of apartheid, her country stumbles toward freedom, while her people pay the cost with fear, risk, and loss.

Venour tells Elizabeth’s story, and Elizabeth tells everyone else’s story, so Venour speaks and sings the roles of 21 additional characters – young and old, female and male, African and Afrikaner. From the first moments of Venour’s stunning performance, creatively, clearly delineating each voice and role, I was hanging on the edge of Elizabeth’s loves and longings. On a set comprised of only a colored screen, a wooden swing and a painted floor, Venour evokes sharp images of the South Africa where Elizabeth is growing up.

The Syringa Tree brings us through sorrow but it doesn’t stay there. Nor does it end with the cliché of a girl leaving home and finding new love and freedom. It takes Elizabeth – and us in the audience – back home to South Africa for a gentle reconciliation. And then to a celebration of the courageous loss that brought them to this place.

When The Syringa Tree was suddenly, satisfyingly over, my companion and I said “Wow,” and “Powerful.” We heard others echo our words as we walked out.

The Syringa Tree, flooded with fear and hope, longing and joy and loss, truly is a powerful story. I hope you will see it this summer.

For tickets and more information, go to www.rosebudtheatre.com or call 1-800-267-7553. The show starts at 4:30 p.m., Wednesdays to Saturdays. Tickets do not come with a meal, but a meal at the Rosebud Mercantile may be purchased separately.