McKusick stands out in ‘grave’ stories ‘Spoon River Anthology’ on stage in Winterport

When the leaves change color and a seasonal chill slips into the air, is it nutty to say that graveyards come into their own? Not if you’re Edgar Lee Masters, who wrote 244 short poems based on the gravestones near his home in central Illinois. Serialized in the early part of the 20th century and collected as “Spoon River Anthology,” the epitaphs are unflinching in their revelations about small-town ways, human conflict and the pride, spite and regret that go to the grave. As the skies grow darker earlier each day, it seems that “Spoon River” was meant for autumn.

In its scope, “Spoon River” stands near “Our Town,” “Under Milk Wood” and even “Winesburg, Ohio.” Struck by the theatricality of Masters’ work, Charles Aidman adapted the piece for stage, and director Christopher Bates, who was similarly taken with the voices in this play, has mounted a headstrong show running through Nov. 3 at Wagner Middle School in Winterport.

Or you might think of it as a headstone production since it takes place in a cemetery where the lives of the dead are summoned forth to tell their often unforgiving stories of family, religious and political struggle.

It would be misleading, however, to say that “Spoon River” is a riveting work. It’s poetic, haunting in places and utterly American. Those qualities alone generate enough intrigue for the first hour. But interest may wane in the second hour as the episodic tales go on, and on, and on – like gravestones across a swath of land.

That’s not to say this production lacks vigor. In more than 90 vignettes and songs, the nine-person cast moves quickly and sensitively through the characters and plots. Musical accompaniment by Ann Homola on violin and Dave Pilotte on guitar nicely underscores the homespun dynamic at the heart of “Spoon River.”

Within the ensemble cast, Kent McKusick is a standout because of the expert actorly presence he brings to the stage. Dave Klocko, best-known as a musicologist offstage, is filled with pluck in his various roles. The others – Suzanne Hall, Charlotte Herbold, Cassy Palmer, Susan Reardon, Anne Tatgenhorst, Kevin DeBeck and Philip Price – often are provocative in weaving this patchwork quilt of stories from the great beyond.

Presented as something between reader’s theater and soap opera, the show that Bates has crafted smartly works against sentimentality and nostalgia. To their credit, the cast members are particular, fervent and resourceful. They prove that literary theater doesn’t require embellishment or sparkle. Even with dead people, all it takes is concentration, perseverance and a story – or 90 – for everyone.

Winterport Open Stage will present “Spoon River Anthology” 7:30 p.m. Nov. 1 and 2, and 3 p.m. Nov. 3 at Wagner Middle School, Mountainview Drive, Winterport. For information, call 941-9151.