Pictured above: The cast of “The People Downstairs”: (Left to right) Allen Fitzpatrick, Teri Lazzara, Sara Oliva and Matthew McGee.
Courtesy of American Stage
By Carley Hapke
Local playwright and actress Natalie Symons’ “The People Downstairs” made its premiere on Sept. 15 after four years in the making, including an 18-month hiatus due to COVID-19.
Symons, originally from Buffalo, New York, began the initial script in 2018. In March 2020, after rehearsals and production were completed, the play never reached its original opening night. Like all other businesses, COVID-19 forced theaters to close.
Both Symons and director Chris Crawford said that, while this was devastating, it also gave a unique opportunity to make adjustments to the production that wouldn’t otherwise be possible after the show’s premiere.
Despite the extended pause in production, Symons and Crawford said they feel fortunate for the resilient cast and theater company, which helped make the project more exciting and special.
“To be able to jump back in knowing what we know, is truly a gift…our work on the play has continued, and we’ve been able to breathe new life into it, with new life experiences,” Crawford said.
Symons said she was inspired to write “The People Downstairs” when she envisioned the story of a custodian cleaning a morgue, surrounded by cadavers, and began to wonder what his home life looked like.
“This play is about the importance of human connection, and how important it is to have a companion, in whatever form that takes. Just basic human connection,” Symons said. “If we thought that was important two years ago, now it’s even more important. And there are moments of the show that stand out and hit completely differently. It’s art imitating life.”
“The People Downstairs” is a charming comedy about a funeral parlor janitor named Miles, and his middle-aged, visually impaired daughter Mabel, who is agoraphobic and spends her days recording messages for prison inmates.
Both have become wards of the state following the death of Miles’ wife and Mabel’s mother, Rosie.
Miles becomes fixated on setting up Mabel with one of the morticians, Todd, and assembling a collection of stories from his childhood and marriage to pitch as a television show to Amazon.
The events of the story take place over the course of a few days. There are four actors, a single set and no major costume changes.
Actress Sara Olivia, who plays Mabel, stands out in her performance, providing much of the play’s comedic relief.
“There’s been so much passion and love that has gone into the show; the actors and crew are just pouring so much of themselves into seeing it through,” Crawford said. “I think it’s going to be magical.”
“The People Downstairs” will be on view at American Stage in downtown St. Petersburg through Oct. 3. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit americanstage.org.
