"The Light" at Horizon Theatre

A must-see, "The Light" at Horizon Theatre is brilliantly written and exquisitely acted by Cynthia D. Barker and Enoch King. You will laugh. You will cry. You will have conversations. Playwright Loy A. Webb said, "I write to point toward hope. I want my work to be a neon sign in the darkness: This way out. This way to hope."

The Light | Horizon Theatre | Cynthia D. Barker and Enoch King

"The Light", onstage now through Sunday, April 17, was set to open just before COVID hit in 2020. Believe me when I say it was worth the wait. I'm extremely grateful that Horizon Theatre moved forward with this production and believe it to be the must-see for 2022!

But don't just take my word for it. Local actor, playwright, narrator, and activist Lee Osorio said in a social media post, "If you do not see @cynthiadbarker and @enochaking in this play, you will miss one of the most amazing and necessary pieces of theater. Go see this play. Do whatever you have to, but see this play."

ABOUT THE PLAY

The press release announcing the play shared, "A surprise marriage proposal takes an unexpected turn that upends the world of Genesis (Barker) and Rashad (King), forcing them to confront secrets from the past. The Light is a roller coaster journey of laughter, romance and reckoning that unfolds in real time, peeling away layers of truth, doubt, pain and ultimately, the power of love."

The Light | Horizon Theatre | Cynthia D. Barker and Enoch King

ABOUT THE CAST

When I saw the cast announcement for this play I was ecstatic! Cynthia and Enoch are world-class performance artists...I recommend seeing everything they're in!

Suzi Bass award nominee Cynthia D. Barker has been seen at Horizon Theatre in Citizens Market, How to Use A Knife, and other popular plays. I love her work and she's a beautiful human being.

Atlanta native and film star Enoch King has been part of the Horizon Theatre family for nearly two decades, with credits including Sweet Water Taste, Constellations (which would be his breakout dramatic role), The Waffle Palace, and many years of The Santaland Diaries. 

Co-director, Marguerite Hannah, has been on this blog numerous times (The Waffle Palace, Freed Spirits) and is the only person pictured twice in my book, 111 Places in Atlanta That You Must Not Miss. You'll find both photos of Marguerite in chapter 47 featuring Horizon Theatre. She's an absolute delight on stage and off.

"The Light is a present-day love story complicated by the many things that go unsaid," explains co-director Marguerite Hannah, Horizon's Associate Artistic Producer. "The characters explore many questions about love universally... They unearth the questions we have been taught not to ask: Is surviving our past enough? Is a Black woman's accomplishments and personal strengths a strong enough salve for emotional wounds? Is gender bias a tangible issue for a community historically defined by racial discrimination?" 

The Light | Horizon Theatre | Cynthia D. Barker and Enoch King

The first part of this play, set in Chicago in 2018, is funny—sometimes hilarious—playful, and romantic. In the second portion (75 minutes total, no intermission) things get serious and emotional. If you have a heart you'll want a tissue or at least a sleeve. The very last scene, the last moment of the play, is my personal favorite. Even the actors were in tears...impactful!

The Light | Horizon Theatre | Cynthia D. Barker and Enoch King

I recommend seeing this as soon as you can so that you can tell everyone about it and/or bring other friends and family to see it. Get your tickets here and—always a bonus in Atlanta—parking is FREE! If you happen to be at Horizon Theatre for the performance on Thursday the 14th, I'll see you then! "The Light" will be onstage through Sunday, April 17.

INTERVIEW: Topher Payne, "The Santaland Diaries"

"I'm a Crumpet convert!" announced my friend Sara during the standing ovation immediately following her seeing The Santaland Diaries for the first time.

I'd seen the show a couple of times in its previous 18 years, but now in its 19th year at Horizon Theatre, there are a couple of things that make it brand new! One of those new things is that famous Atlanta playwright, screenwriter, and actor Topher Payne is playing Crumpet, one of Santa's helper elves at Macy's in New York City. 

Topher granted me a brief interview!

The Santaland Diaries | Horizon Theatre | Photo: Greg Mooney

While we Atlantans know Topher Payne as a playwright, a screenwriter, and an actor. He calls himself a storyteller, and he's exactly that. That's also what makes his so perfect for The Santaland Diaries!

The other major change to this year's performance is that the author of the play requested that all of the characters' lines come from the Crumpet character. It's quite a feat on Topher's end—to voice 44 different characters in 90 minutes—and it's a triumph in acting for the sidekicks—the absolutely lovely and brilliant Lala Cochran and the talented and hilarious Enoch King.

wanderlust ATLANTA: Why should locals and tourists come see The Santaland Diaries at Horizon Theatre?

Topher: This time of year we all start feeling harried, yet we're still trying to capture the feelings this joyous time of year should bring us. For those seeking a cathartic moment—90 minutes, at least—for those looking for some fun, for those looking for a good storytelling...that's what The Santaland Diaries offers. And it's short, it's easy to schedule, and you don't have to make the time to wrap it! 

wanderlust ATLANTA: What are you personally bringing to the role of Crumpet?

Topher: I was apprehensive about coming into the process with anyone thinking that I was going to replicate what they'd seen for the last 18 years. I admire Harold Leaver's performance as Crumpet, but we're different people. I didn't want to set the stage for disappointing comparison. Working with director Jeff Adler, we're going back and treating it like a new story...it feels like and looks like The Santaland Diaries, but it has a new storyteller. 

The Santaland Diaries | Horizon Theatre

My friend Sara, pictured above with the cast of The Santaland Diaries, loved the show, which we enjoyed from the front row, but this show is fantastic from any seat in the intimate Horizon Theatre. We've already planned to come back and see it again next year!

Topher shared with me that minutes before he takes the stage he's excited and terrified at the same time. The responsibility for telling a story non-stop for 90 minutes would intimidate most of us, but Topher is brilliant! 

The Santaland Diaries | Horizon Theatre | Photo: Greg Mooney

Before we get to the story of Crumpet, David (Topher Payne) shares with us just how he became a Santaland elf, as well as some tangential thoughts about the everyday, that do in fact tie to the story at hand. 

Throughout the play, we learn about the some of the children who visit Santa—primarily the crying ones, the pretentious ones, the spoiled brats—as well as the social media-crazed grownups, fellow elves, a few of the Santas, and visitors from other lands, to name a few. The regaling of elf training is particularly hilarious, not to mention David's onstage "dreams" of being on a soap opera.

wanderlust ATLANTA: We know about some of your wonderful professional accomplishments. Will you share with us a little about your early Atlanta life?


Topher: I'm originally from Mississippi. When I moved to Atlanta I found myself knocking on theater doors and getting jobs doing whatever was needed that day. Years later, opportunities have kept expanding to become a full-time writer in Atlanta. I still travel to Vancouver and Los Angeles for film work, but with the thriving film industry in Georgia, there are lots more local opportunities.

wanderlust ATLANTA: Probably not a totally fair question, given how young you are, but what do you hope is Topher Payne's legacy?

Topher: At 36 years old, my current mission is to tell stories not for the critics, not for those making notes while attending a show, but for the ticket-purchasing theatergoer. When it comes time to pass the guard, if Atlanta is indeed a place where a full-time writer can thrive, then I'll know I spent my time well. That's what I hope I'm helping to create.

The Santaland Diaries | Horizon Theatre

The first time I saw The Santaland Diaries this year (I've seen it two more times this year and am going to see it again this week) was with my friend Barry (pictured above, right). We saw it together when I saw it for the first time years ago. It's tradition!

It was awesome to see Topher in the role of Crumpet, but this wasn't his first experience with Horizon Theatre. You see, a number of years ago, approximately a decade, Topher was one of Crumpet's sidekicks...for two years! But lets time-travel to when Topher first moved to Atlanta. His first job with a professional theatre in Atlanta was helping to build the set of...you guessed it, The Santaland Diaries at Horizon Theatre for its very first run 19 years ago!

Behind the scenes, Jeff Adler is the director of The Santaland Diaries. Can you imagine a more fun job?! But that's not all Jeff is doing. He and his wife Lisa are co-founders of Horizon Theatre Company. Jeff has been behind the scenes for every production put on at Horizon. And most recently Jeff has been a theatre professor at The New School in Atlanta. His drama students recently performed "Hamlet" with the governor of Georgia in the audience.

The Santaland Diaries | Horizon Theatre | Photo: Greg Mooney

wanderlust ATLANTA: How did you learn all the lines for a 90-minute play?

Topher: I'm marveling at myself this time! I started in August reading lines practically 24 hours a day. The key is repetition and appreciation. Do you remember how quickly you learned the words to a favorite song in your high school years? That's how!

wanderlust ATLANTA: I sometimes lose my way when telling a story. If that's ever happened to you, how do you recover?


Topher: I use physical action and location to get me back on script. Once during an early run of The Santaland Diaries, I took a scripted sip of water a little early. The scripted words that came after the sip then came out of my mouth, skipping the words that were the cue for my fellow actors to come on stage. I had to backtrack to where I would have been to speak the missed words and quickly got back on track.

Topher recently shared in an Instagram takeover of Horizon Theatre's channel, "My most challenging voice has become my favorite—my very odd, completely unsuccessful, but fully-committed attempt at singing like Billie Holiday." It's truly quite...remarkable.

The Santaland Diaries | Horizon Theatre

I've been a Lala Cochran fan since the first time I saw her perform. She's one of those actors that I'll go see a show just because she's in it. This Suzi Bass Award-winning actress always surrounds herself by other incredible talent, so whatever the show is, you know it's going to be fantastic!

Enoch King is absolutely brilliant and hilarious in The Santaland Diaries. He makes the audience laugh so hard and so long! I'm laughing as I type! 

What's been called his breakout role was also at Horizon Theatre, the acclaimed Constellations, which was Horizon's 2017 season opener. He's since performed in other dramatic roles and next he will be performing in A Raisin in the Sun in St. Petersburg, Florida—where I was born—at American Theatre.

The Santaland Diaries | Horizon Theatre | Photo: Greg Mooney

Don't miss this show! And don't bring the kids. This is an adult show. 

To note Topher's range of talent, he's written numerous movies for the Hallmark Channel, the most recent being the holiday show titled A Gift To Remember, definitely on my "to watch" list!

Come see Topher, Lala, and Enoch in The Santaland Diaries at Horizon Theatre through Sunday, December 31, but don't wait to get your tickets...some shows are already sold out!

And be sure to say "Hello" and get a snapshot with the stars immediately following the show!

Disclaimer: A few months ago I was voted to Horizon Theatre's Board of Directors, a position I'm honored to hold, particularly with such esteemed board members. That role in no way influences my writings about Horizon Theatre or its shows. I've been a fan and supporter of Horizon Theatre for many years, as well as the arts and performing arts in Atlanta overall.

The Santaland Diaries is Naughty and Nice

Your sides are going to hurt and your cheeks will be so sore after laughing and smiling for a solid ninety minutes! The Santaland Diaries at Horizon Theatre is one of the more fun shows I've seen in a long time...and one that, delightfully so during the holiday season, perfectly balances measures of naughty and nice. 

The Santaland Diaries | Horizon Theatre

Last year I got an awesome photo with Santa Claus (think Vulcan Salute), but I think Barry beat me out this year. Crumpet the elf commandeered Barry during our photo-op, a memory Barry won't soon forget, mostly because it was such great fun.

All theater-goers are invited to make photos with the cast immediately following the show! I recommend dressing festively and NOT wearing a brown sports coat...what was I thinking! In my defense, I came straight from the office. I'll plan something more holiday-appropriate next year.  

The Santaland Diaries | Horizon Theatre

To give you an idea of the dialogue you may expect, here's an excerpt from The Santaland Diaries:

"Twenty-two thousand people came to see Santa today, and not all of them were well-behaved. Today I witnessed fist-fights and vomiting and magnificent tantrums." - David Sedaris on NPR

Harold M. Leaver has played Crumpet for 17 years, but he's so much more than an elf! This amazing actor holds degrees from Rhodes College and University of Georgia...AND he is a co-founder of Actor's Express! His resume goes on and on, but what you need to know when going in to see The Santaland Diaries is that Leaver is going to make you laugh til it hurts!

The Santaland Diaries | Horizon Theatre

Lala Cochran plays "sidekick" in The Santaland Diaries. I'm not certain, but I believe they use "sidekick" because the program would be a book if it listed ALL the characters in this show! Both sidekicks perform an incredible number of characters and celebrities, including Cher!

Having seen Lala Cochran in a number of plays over the last couple of years, I've become a huge fan. She's brilliant! And she's fun. Although The Santaland Diaries had been on my "to see" list for a number of years, it was at Lala's mentioning that she would be in this run that prompted my action to finally get tickets.

The Santaland Diaries | Horizon Theatre

Enoch King, who also plays "sidekick" in The Santaland Diaries, is a riot and delivers punch line after punch line, many of them in for form of facial expressions. This is a fast-paced, quick-witted play with lots of simultaneously delivered, hilarious actions and lines. Some of the humor is subtle, but most of it is in-your-face obvious, all of it hilarious. 

The Santaland Diaries | Horizon Theatre

Other elf appearances are made by Horizon Theatre Apprentice Company members Nick Suwalski and Jasmine Thomas.

You're going to be blown away by the number of characters and number of costume changes in this show...it's a whirlwind of a performance! 

The Santaland Diaries | Horizon Theatre

"If you read someone else's diary, you get what you deserve." - David Sedaris

Then National Public Radio (NPR) producer Ira Glass bought David Sedaris, playwright of The Santaland Diaries, to the airwaves of NPR's Morning Edition in 1992. I just listened to their 2015 traditional recording. It made me want to go see The Santaland Diaries at Horizon again! 

This year marks the 17th year that The Santaland Diaries has gleefully entertained audiences at Horizon Theatre. After the show I heard quite a few audience members comment that they had seen the show multiple years, and I totally get it. I will definitely see this one again and again, year after year.

The Santaland Diaries | Horizon Theatre

Jeff Adler, whom I've not yet had the pleasure of formally meeting, is the returning director of The Santaland Diaries. While I may not have met Jeff yet, anytime I see his or his wife's name—Lisa Adler, who I have had the pleasure of meeting—attached to a production at Horizon Theatre, I know without a doubt that it's going to be magnificent. 

Jeff and Lisa are the Co-Founders and Co-Artistic Directors of Horizon Theatre and the multitude of spectacular plays and performances—since 1983—are testaments to just how brilliant they are!

The Santaland Diaries | Horizon Theatre

Everyone who attended The Santaland Diaries the night we did will not soon forget Chris, the audience member that Crumpet pulled from his front row seat to participate in the play. I'll leave it at Crumpet has a naughty side—you'll have to witness this fun for yourselves. And Chris' girlfriend was not exempt to the merriment of Crumpet-initiated spontaneous audience involvement. She and Chris, along with a few others incorporated into the spontaneity, were great sports!

The Santaland Diaries | Horizon Theatre

I haven't mentioned this, but The Santaland Diaries is based on a true story! It recounts the true-life tale of an out-of-work writer's stint as a Macy's Department Store elf. Believe me, you'll be able to relate to much of what is told in this hilarious story!

Remember to stretch your tummy and mouth muscles before the show. But even if you do stretch, you're going to laugh until it hurts, so just plan on that, and get your tickets to see The Santaland Diaries at Horizon Theatre before it closes on Thursday, December 31.

"Thank you!" to the cast for the all the naughty, all the nice, and especially for gifting us an abundance of festivity and hearty laughs!