Handprints Writer and Star Greta Oglesby Shines at History Theatre

Handprints written and performed by, I think it’s safe to say the incomparable, Greta Oglesby is a sharing of her personal story. But story doesn’t feel like quite the right word, that implies that we get the biographical details, which we do get some, but it’s less her story and more her stories. It feels more personal, more intimate, like we are in fellowship with her. The stories she would tell gathered with family members are the stories she acts out for us. She tells them chronologically, but it isn’t the story of her life but the flavor of it. She’s giving us the experience of the people who left their handprints on her life. Through the people who influenced her, particularly her mother, father, and aunties we get a sense of who she is as well. Handprints is a deeply personal gift to the audience. Oglesby shares the reality, which to some of us seems like how things were when we were growing up, for others it will seem traumatic at times. At once its specific to Oglesby and yet familiar to many of us. A sharing filled with humor and truth that is brought to life by Oglesby, Dennis Spears, who plays multiple roles including her Father, her husband, school bullies, and a particularly touching cousin Cece. Rounding out the onstage presence is Music Director and recent Twin Cities Theater Bloggers Nominee Sanford Moore on the keys and several puppets. If that doesn’t peak your interest, I don’t know what will.

Minnesota audiences are familiar with Oglesby’s work and come expecting some music and they will not be disappointed. What an amazing voice she has, and the show contains a fantastic scene when she goes out for her first audition but after botching the monologue she absolutely wows them, and us, with her singing. There are so many moments in the play that have us laughing and nodding in recognition. One of the great sections is the all too brief chronicles of her performing career, where we are treated to a few short but powerful scenes of roles she has played on stage, from August Wilson to Shakespeare. It is a joyful and uplifting performance that had the audience on their feet before the curtain call even began. In Dennis Spears she has found a lively scene partner he goes big for the comedy adding to the enjoyment with characters like the young school bully, but brings it way back and provides a subtle and effectively compact performance as her Father. Combining both choices to create one of the most moving characters in the piece, transgender cousin Cece. I don’t think Oglesby could have found a better Actor to entrust these characters to than Dennis Spears.

Handprints is Directed by the new Artistic Director of History Theatre, Rick Thompson. Thompson fakes us out with a 30 minute first Act and an hour long second act. The set changes after intermission explain the timing. Scenic and Prop Designer Kirby Moore has a working stove brought on for the start of Act 2, on which Oglesby actually cooks some eggs. It’s a wonderful set that allows Thompson to stage scenes like kids dropping water balloons out of a third floor window, they are actual water balloons, I saw the splash. I have two disappointments, one is the shows and the other is my own. Firstly the show is too short, I wanted more, I wanted to know about her husband, there is a sense that her acting career at times caused difficulties as evidenced at his response to her accepting roles with a Shakespeare company, but it’s never really gone into. The second is my own, Oglesby’s book is for sale in the lobby, we saw it when we purchased beverages before the show. It wasn’t until we were driving home that I started kicking myself for not buying a copy and trying to stage door to get it autographed by Oglesby. Don’t make the same mistake, get your copy and hangout afterwards to see if you can spot her and get an autograph. Handprints runs through February 18th at History Theatre in St. Paul, For more information and to purchase tickets go to https://www.historytheatre.com/2023-2024/handprints

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