“Let me take you…” Last Minute/Low Budget Productions presented A Sentimental Journey, a play written by Mike Boren (Big Bend  National Park) to a standing ovation from an intimate crowd at the Starlight Theatre (Terlingua). Talented actors Catfish Calloway (Terlingua) and Elizabeth Thompson (Terlingua) gave a dazzling rendition of the multiple characters that took observers through a myriad of emotions in the story of a man’s attempts to unravel relationships with his parents and to sort out tragedies of the Vietnam War. The play was also performed in Big Bend National Park with funds being raised to help with medical needs of Jesusito Cortillo. (Crystal Allbright)

by Andy Byrnes

Despite an unfortunately prosaic title, there is a perfect symmetry to Sentimental Journey, a new play by Mike Boren.

As performed twice in late November by Catfish Callaway and Elizabeth Thompson of Terlingua’s Last Minute Low Budget Productions, this reader’s theatre in two acts brings what is best about the art of live communication to the forefront with simple, eloquent grace uncluttered by the trappings of what we have come to expect of the outside world’s over rehearsed, big budget productions.

Sentimental Journey boasts neither elaborate sets nor special effects. Callaway and Thompson take their places behind a table, switch on separate reading lights, and begin to read the story of the Rehnquist family, a story that unfolds seamlessly. Even the pages of their loose leaf binders, flat upon the table, turn with an almost artful synchronicity as Charlie Rehnquist’s life story takes shape and the players take the audience along for the ride.

Boren’s script hits not one single false note – nor do the actors – as Callaway chronicles Charlie’s life, literally from the womb to eventual – and reluctant – maturity and Thompson portrays no fewer than eight characters; the women who literally chaperone Charlie through the years.

Boren has written something, albeit targeting those of a certain age, that seems almost effortless in its complete success. He may have struggled with the dialogue in the privacy of his own home, but no hesitancy, no trepidation has survived to mar the script. Charlie’s arguments with his father Dudley resonate (and I have sworn never to use that word) in the hearts of anyone who has ever struggled to resolve love of another with his or her own convictions.

Thompson’s portrayal of Charlie’s mother Caroline is pitch perfect as well, especially given the difficulties inherent in the role.

Caroline’s personality does not lend itself to easy interpretation and Thompson is never tempted to resort to bits of business that might make her character more palatable or understandable. This investment more than pays off at the play’s conclusion.

And speaking of investment, Callaway’s investment of emotional currency, particularly as a young, disillusioned patriot fighting in the Republic of Vietnam, is no less than astonishing.  He – and Boren – balance Charlie’s natural high spirits and love of life with very real and very personal battles with various demons.

As Callaway struggled with his own emotions I witnessed several grown men in the audience brushing surreptitiously at their eyes.

Okay, you’ll laugh, you’ll cry. There, I said it.

Without telling – and spoiling – the story, Sentimental Journey makes us believe in guardian angels and their struggle to protect us from ourselves.

One can only hope – and suggest in print – that the play, directed and produced with understated aplomb by Bernadette Devine, will be presented as part of the company’s winter production.

It is downright outstanding.

Last minute, Low Budget stalwarts Sarah Bourbon and Lisa Lowe handled the sound and lighting and make-up chores respectively and Kathy Wisdom of Phantasee Photo’s Costume Cabaret provided the costumes.

Andy Byrnes is a writer and boatman who hails from the Adirondacks of upstate  New York and lives in Terlingua.