Professor Cheryl McFarren’s new play, Invincible Summer, blends scenes from the historical novel Cold Sassy Tree with stories from the life of its author, Olive Ann Burns.
“The power of story is the reason for this play,” said McFarren, who teaches theatre at Denison. “I’ve wanted to do something with this book since I first read it more than 30 years ago.”
Invincible Summer brings together archival research from Burns’ life and scenes from her novel for an evening of laughter and reflection. The audience will come to know the author, her characters, and their own deep need for connection to place, time, and one another.
McFarren began writing her play during the Covid pandemic. She rummaged through Burns’ archives at Emory University, the University of Georgia, and Burns’ hometown to create binders full of pictures and letters about the author’s life.
Pondering what to include from the book, she decided on three key scenes. “Sometimes the creative process is just about opening yourself up to what’s out there,” she said.
Fascinated by puppetry since she taught a course on the technique in 2023, McFarren used lifelike tabletop puppets to portray scenes from Cold Sassy Tree.
“There is a magic with puppets where you find yourself projecting all kinds of emotions into these objects,” she said. “The puppets’ faces don’t move and the dialogue between them is recorded audio, and yet they can convey powerful emotion.”
She hopes audience members are reminded of their connections and relationships. The play definitely reminds McFarren of hers.
“It’s a celebration of Olive Ann in her 100th year and also a celebration of my mom, who introduced me to Cold Sassy Tree and puppetry,” McFarren said. ”I lost her just this past spring.”
Invincible Summer
7 p.m. Nov. 1,7,8, and 9
2 p.m. Nov. 2, 3, and 10
Hylbert Family Studio Theatre, Eisner Center
Free, but tickets are required.
