Judevine
By David Budbill
April 20-May 7, 2017
Lost Nation Theater, Montpelier, Vermont
Directed by Kim Bent and Starring Ben Ash, Sean Gregory, Ashley Nease, Robert Nuner, Abby Paige, Scott Renzoni, and Mark Roberts
This month I return to Lost Nation Theater in Montpelier, Vermont for a very special production of the beloved play Judevine, which captures the beauty, isolation, poverty, and resilience of a small Vermont town. Judevine is a creation of the gifted Vermont poet and playwright David Budbill, and it is as real to me as any village in northern Vermont — maybe even moreso, since I have spent so much time there, in my imagination and as a cast member in two — now three — productions of the play. David, who was a beloved friend as well as an artist who I deeply admired, passed away last fall, and our current production is a celebration of his life and work, as well as the opening to Lost Nation’s fortieth season. I’m honoured to be included.
To learn more about the production, including showtimes and ticketing information, visit Lost Nation’s website. You can listen to David read his poem “Ode to Our Woodstove” here and watch him perform with musical collaborators William Parker and Hamid Drake here.
ABBY PAIGE 