Review: “That Book Woman” offers an educational and entertaining look at Kentucky history – The Advocate-Messenger

1 0 out of 5

The photo that inspired Heather Henson to write “That Book Woman.” Henson wanted to know why a woman on horseback would deliver a magazine or book to a mountain man. (Photo used with permission of the KY Department of Libraries and Archives.)

The children pictured (from left to right); Warner Wiles (12) plays Cal, who is initially very suspicious of the book woman and her motives, but slowly begins to respect her strength and perseverance. Cal’s sister Lark, played by Aaliyah Love (12), is a born bookworm and immediately finds the book woman sympathetic. Two younger siblings are played by Oliver Wiles (8) and Reia Frey (7). Photo submitted

From left to right: That Book Woman, Julia Mae Miller (Mari Blake), John Crownover (Lewis Wright) and Granny (Rita Hight). Photo submitted

Aaron Thompson tries to secure the Crownovers’ land. (Photo: Lance Gaither)

Booker Julia Miller visits the Crownover family. (Photo by Lance Gaither)

[email protected]

“That Book Woman” had its world premiere on the stage of the Pioneer Playhouse on July 2, a play that offers a look back into Kentucky history: the packhorse librarians.

These librarians were women who distributed books on horseback throughout Appalachia as part of the U.S. Works Progress Administration, an organization that put the unemployed to work during the Great Depression in the 1930s.

Set in the mountains of Eastern Kentucky at the height of the Great Depression, the play is about a librarian named Julia Miller (played by Mari Blake) who works as a pack horse and develops a friendship with a farmer named John Crownover (played by Lewis Wright) and his four children Cal (Warner Wiles), Lark (Aaliyah Love), Nate (Oliver Wiles) and Dollie (Reia Frey), and their grandmother (Rita Hight).

“That Book Woman” is based on the children’s book of the same name by Heather Henson, executive director of the Pioneer Playhouse. The stage adaptation was written by Holly Hepp-Galvan as part of the theater’s Kentucky Voices program. Original plays in the program often celebrate Kentucky history.

Miller’s role goes beyond simply delivering books; she helps Crownover raise the funds needed to fight a legal battle against shady businessman Aaron Thompson (played by Kevin Reams), who is trying to seize their land for a coal mine.

Along the way, Miller teaches Cal the value of books. Cal initially dislikes books and is annoyed that his sister Lark teaches her siblings about books.

That Book Woman entertains audiences with a compelling story that also explores the importance of literacy and the problems of rural America during the Depression. Subplots have creative implications for the Crownover family’s struggle.

In a subplot, Miller tries to save the local library from closing. In rural towns of this time, makeshift libraries were built by locals, and since they didn’t have much money for books, books were donated by people from all over the country.

The play features a nice mix of comedic elements throughout, with the little children causing some chaos and the grandmother providing most of the laughs.

Every actor, young and old, delivered an outstanding performance. The clever use of blocking and lighting creates dynamic scenes throughout the show.

The theater itself is the perfect stage for this type of show, as the outdoors, forest setting, and sounds of nature help immerse you in the world of “That Book Woman.”

Performances of “That Book Woman” at the Pioneer Playhouse run through July 20. The play is performed nightly Tuesday through Saturday, beginning at 8:30 p.m., with an optional dinner at 7:30 p.m.