The Empty Space Theatre Performs “Crimes of the Heart”

The lights come up on the house of Lenny Magrath, played by Amy Hall, as she returns home from visiting her ailing grandfather while he is in the hospital in The Empty’s Space Theartre’s performance of “Crimes of the Heart” written by Beth Henley and Directed by Bob Kempf.

A single candle is lit on a store bought cookie by Lenny Magrath who lives with her now hospitalized grandfather.

Lenny Magrath sits at her kitchen table and reflects on the fact that, during all the commotion of her sister’s shocking crime and her grandfathers ailing condition, no one has remembered her birthday. Despondently, she lights a lonely candle in a store bought cookie and sings “happy birthday to me,” softly to herself.

Chick Boyle, also known as chicken to the sisters, is a southern socialite played by Jennifer Maddern (right). She scolds her cousin Meg Magrath, played by Cody Ganger (left), about her leaving for California after Meg’s free spirited ways nearly got Meg’s old boyfriend, Doc Porter killed and the shame it brought to Chick.

Babe Magrath,played by Ellie Siversind (left), describes the illicit affair she has been having with a 15 year old African American boy they use to know as children.Confiding in Meg (right) what it feels like to be truly loved by someone.

Babe’s lawyer, Barnett Lloyd, played by Matthew Borton, arrives at the Magrath home and reveals to Meg the long history of abuse that Babe has suffered from the hands of her husband.

Babe (left), after being confronted by Meg(right) about the abuse she has endured from her husband, reenacts the scene of the crime.

Doc Porter, played by Brian J. Siversind, and Meg Megrath, played by Cody Ganger, realize that after years of separation, they still feel deeply for one another. However, Doc has a wife and two small children, and decides to remain with his family over rekindling his romance with Meg.

Babe looks horrified at the picture given to her by Barnett Lloyd, after coming back from the hospital to see Babe’s Husband’s incriminating evidence. She discovers that the affair between the young boy and her has been uncovered by her husband.

Lenny (left) and her sister Babe (right) consoling each other after finding out that their grandfather has slipped into a coma and may not have long to live.

Chick Boyle is mortified when she discovers that Meg and Doc Porter spent the night in the country together and the scandal it brings to the family.

Lenny (center) kicks Chick out of the house and is then surprised by her sisters, who bring out a birthday cake.

The three sisters make a toast with their own big slice of cake to the uncertain future ahead of them. Knowing that whatever may come their way they still have each other.

The play ends with the Magrath sisters coming together in solidarity and in support of one another’s future. Overcoming past scars they had inflicted upon each other and the tragic suicide of their mother in their younger years, the sister stride forth into an uncertain future, more confident in their love, even though it came a day late.