Sheryl Scott brought her heartwarming one-woman play to The Bank Theatre in Leamington on Saturday, May 24 and the standing ovation she received at the final curtain was enough to deem it a success.
The play — presented by Community Living Essex County — attracted 147 patrons, many of whom went away with a chuckle in their heart and a tear in their eye.
Scott’s Millie Johnston character took the audience through the ups and downs of being a farmer’s wife in New Brunswick in the 1940s, describing the sights and sounds on a farm, in church and yes, even during childbirth.
The audience roared as they identified with many of the rural predicaments in which Millie found herself.
Many also identified with Millie’s strength and character, particularly when her sixth child — her only son — was born with Down Syndrome.
Her unwavering commitment to her son and the way his sisters rallied around him, despite the stigma perceived by many in the outside world, were a true testament to all who have raised a child with an intellectual or physical disability.
The play went from funny to heartwarming to emotional and the 147 people along for the ride enjoyed every bit of it.
Community Living Manager of Community Relations and Resource Development Tony DeSantis and Executive Director Karen Bolger opened the show by welcoming everyone.
“I saw this years ago and I can guarantee you’ll go from laughing to crying and back to laughing again,” he said. “I’ll be here at the end to say I told you so.”
Comments flooded social media after the play with such lines as “Truly amazing performance!”, “I’m a tough old guy. I teared up,” and “It had me laughing and crying, so touching.”
Plans are being made to bring Sheryl Scott back in the future for an encore performance.
