As Wisconsin’s only woman-run theater company, Renaissance Theaterworks has made a name for itself by producing plays featuring strong female characters. Actually, its mission is far broader than that, but one glance at its latest offering, Amelia, tells you that the troupe is still passionate about its initial mission. This tale, by Alex Webb, is equal parts history lesson and love story.
Set during the Civil War, Amelia tells a gritty tale of love and courage. Amelia (Cassandra Bissel) is a Pennsylvania farm girl who falls in love with Ethan (New York-based actor Reese Madigan). When they meet, Ethan is helping out his uncle at the general store near Amelia’s farm. Ethan says he appreciates a woman who has opinions of her own. That description fits Amelia to a “T.” Soon after they meet, the two realize they are soul-mates. Then war breaks out, and Ethan joins the Union army.
When Ethan’s letters stop arriving, Amelia becomes frantic that he is wounded, or missing, or worse. She decides to find him. Amelia realizes the dangers facing a young woman, alone on horseback, riding straight into the war. Her travels take her to several famous Civil War sites, including Gettysburg and the Andersonville prison camp.
During her journey, a doctor enlists her as a nurse to try to save soldiers’ lives by sawing off their limbs. This gives her a firsthand view of the cruelty of war, and Bissel, as Amelia, does an excellent job of demonstrating Amelia’s inner turmoil.
While Bissel takes center stage as the title character, Reese Madigan must make quick, chameleon-like changes into many other characters in addition to Ethan. Madigan moves easily through genders, race and cultures. He must take on the roles of Amelia’s mother and father, one of Amelia’s former classmates, a thick-headed country bumpkin, a slave in search of his own family, a surgeon and a horse thief. Madigan handles these transformations with admirable skill. He is extremely likable as the smart, playful, romantic Ethan.
Amelia had its world premiere in 2012 in Washington D.C. Later that year, a special production was held at Ft. Gay on Governor’s Island off New York City. It has been produced by a number of regional companies.
The Milwaukee version is ably directed by Laura Gordon, who is accumulating a growing list of directing credits in addition to her acting ones at Milwaukee Repertory Theatre. She guides Bissel through Amelia’s various hardships and indignities. Amelia is beaten, malnourished and barely distinguishable as she is carted into Andersonville, a Confederate prison camp. She eventually finds Ethan, who’s in even worse shape. The couple can do barely more than lie in each other’s arms, finding peace despite the horrific circumstances of America’s bloodiest war.
