Another trip in our beautiful state. This time with entertainment. – Ed Iannuccilli

by Ed Iannuccilli, contributor, commentary

Photo: U.S. National Register of Historic Places

I’m hooked on Southern Rhode Island; its beauty, charm, and entertainment. I experienced it all on Saturday; tinged with a bit of history. The nostalgia was tied to the days when we rented a cottage at the Narragansett shore in Julys of my youth.

A family of modest means, it was great for us kids, but more for my parents who worked hard for their vacation respite, especially at certain times when they were made to feel important. An evening at the theater, The Theater-by-the-Sea in Matunuck, was one of those times. On one such evening, they were about to see their favorite actor.

The theater operated as a summer stock for years, attracting many great stars such as Billie Holiday, Basil Rathbone, Veronica Lake, Eve Arden, Jackie Cooper, Groucho Marx, Claudette Colbert, Joan Bennett, and Tallulah Bankhead to name a few.

I remember the night my parents went. They were bubbling with excitement, and it had to be bubbly because we kids noticed. We noticed little of what our parents did in those days because we were preoccupied with the beach and games, so this meant something. Their eyes sparkled. Dad looked at his watch. They had a few miles to travel from Narragansett to Matunuck.

Near breathless, they blurted, “We’re going to see John Garfield.” I knew little of him then, but later when I learned, I understood their excitement. I remember seeing the movie, “The Postman Always Rings Twice” with him and Lana Turner some years later.

Mom and Dad were dressed in their summer Sunday finest. They looked so nice, Gatsby-like, as I recall. Off they went and upon their return, all we heard about was Garfield. “Here he is. Look at his picture on the playbill. We were so close to him. The theater is small. We could almost touch him!” For Mom and Dad, it was more than just a night out. It was a life moment.

Now for our experience – in this same great vibrant theater these many years later.

On Saturday, we made such an excursion, traversing three beautiful bridges . . . Mt. Hope, Newport, and Jamestown over a mirror of blue on a beautiful pristine day, the sky a flawless cobalt, boat sails flowing, welcoming clouds waving, on our way to the theater. We skirted the town of Narragansett and soon arrived.

We were not disappointed. What a lovely spot. What a wonderful performance. The packed audience was emotionally enthralled, as was I, shedding a furtive tear here and there, with the production of ‘The Sound of Music.”

The talent and skills of the actors and musicians were a testament to their abilities. And the space, the theater. It oozed with history, some of which I lived vicariously through my parents’ experiences those years ago. I almost felt Garfield. The coziness of the venue immersed us in the story of this iconic musical, one which, no matter how many times you‘ve experienced it, is as good as the first.

It may be trite to say it, but we were transported to a different world; exactly what you want theater to do. This Saturday, in this theater, on this beautiful day, in our State, was unique and unforgettable.

And with our beautiful drive home, we had patches of clouds garnished by the setting sun in the tranquility of the night to complete our wonder.

Ah, Rhode Island. We have so much.

Ed Iannuccilli

Edwrites.net