Taleesha Caturah, Wendy Renee Greenwood and Jamie McKittrick in “Run-On Sentence” at SATE. Photo: Joey Rumpell
Playwright Stacie Lents spent many hours interviewing and talking with prisoners at the Women’s Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center in Vandalia, Missouri as part of a grant to develop a new play for Prison Performing Arts. “Run-On Sentence” is the result and it and is a powerful story that is a work of fiction but based on those hours of input from the female prison population.
Kristen Strom as Officer Wallace confronts Jamie McKittrick, Margeau Baue Steinau, Wendy Renee Greenwood and Taleesha Caturah at the SATE production of “Run-On Sentence.” Photo: Joey Rumpell
Rachel Tibbetts, one of the founders of SATE has, along with Christopher Limber, taken over the reigns of PPA from the late, great Agnes Wilcox. This is a wonderful legacy to their work at PPA and a crowning achievement for both them and SATE. A ninety minute one act, “Run-On Sentence” offers humor, pathos and a great story about loyalties and betrayals within the confines of the prison walls.
Wendy Renee Greenwood has a stern warning for Bess Moynihan in “Run-On Sentence” at SATE. Photo: Joey Rumpell
Taleesha Caturah is Mel- a principal character and a narrator to keep the audience apprised of the rules and mores of prison life. You know from her opening monolog that this is going to be a play laced with humor- both appropriate and dark. Although not the veteran of the prison inmates, she is the unofficial “captain.” She’s tough and tender but it mostly her compassion that guides her. Wendy Renee Greenwood is her best bud, Bug. In a beautiful performance, she shows a lot of erratic and suspicious behavior and proves to be a bit territorial in her space and her relationships.
Margeau Baue Steinau, Jamie McKittrick, Taleesha Caturah and Wendy Renee Greenwood gather in the SATE production of “Run-On Sentence.” Photo: Joey Rumpell
In a truly touching performance on her return to stage from her usual spot behind the scenes (usually lighting or set design- she designed this set for “Run-On Sentence”) is Bess Moynihan as Mary. Although, as the newcomer, she tells the ladies that she is in for assault, her story takes a decidedly more twisted turn as the play evolves. Jamie McKittrick is Giant- a bit slow witted but filled with passion and joy and deeply affected by any bad news about any of her fellow inmates.
Kristen Strom helps Wendy Renee Greenwood with her hair in SATE’s “Run-On Sentence.” Photo: Joey Rumpell
Miss Alice is the “lifer” or the group and played with a steely indifference by Margeau Baue Steinau. She’s got a heart of gold that has been tarnished by her stay in behind bars. And rounding out the cast is Kristen Strom as Officer Wallace. Wanting to be a “pal” to the prisoners, she finds she must take on a rougher exterior.
Wendy Renee Greenwood has a show down with Taleesha Caturah while the other girls cower in the background in “Run-On Sentence” at SATE. Photo: Joey Rumpell
Rachel Tibbetts has directed with a real feel for the prisoners she has personally worked with over the past few years. She takes a human and humorous approach that makes the ladies more accommodating than you’d expect. She has also designed the costumes that probably align with female prison wear. Dominick Ehling’s lighting design enhances Ms. Moynihan’s set and makes for a grim look at life behind bars.
Bess Moynihan (seated) tells her story to Taleesha Caturah in SATE’s “Run-On Sentence.” Photo: Joey Rumpell
“Run-On Sentence” is a particularly satisfying experience and the story of its creation is as powerful as the actual Stacie Lent’s script. As noted in the program, she asked her ladies what they hoped people would learn from this piece and the most common response is the theme “that we are all human beings” and “it could happen to you.” See “Run-On Sentence” at the Chapel, presented by SATE through June 17th.
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