Author Michael Perry and a host of local talent presented a stage adaptation of Perry’s bestselling memoir Population: 485 at Big Top Chautauqua on Sunday, Aug. 28.

Don’t panic just yet if you missed two sold-out previews at UW-Eau Claire, or the canvas-wrapped Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua stage adaptation of Michael Perry’s best-selling book Population: 485. There are good signs for a returning show.

Though probably not a guy prone to overconfidence, I take Perry to be a man of his word. His parting comment to me as they loaded the set into trucks headed to Bayfield was, “If everything goes well, we’ll be back.”

Suffice it to say that things went well. Very well.  By all accounts, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house at moments, and not an arse in its seat at the final bow.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to work with local talent to launch a project I’ve had on the back burner for so long. It’s been a new and rewarding experience to turn my words over to someone else’s interpretation.” – author (and now playwright) Michael Perry

As the wheels are undoubtedly already spinning about next steps in this journey, now is also the time to revel in the tremendous success of the project. Author Perry, director Jake Lindgren, and cast members Molly Barnes and Arthur Grothe shared some reflections about the entire project with me, and hinted at more performances to come.

Lindgren, whose Downstage Left production company focuses on smaller contemporary ensemble-based productions, was pleased with the opportunity to collaborate with Perry in transforming his beloved memoir into a stage show.

“Mike and I started with conversations of what story we wanted to tell, as there could be several different takes on the book. The show really ended up focusing on the relationships between Mike and five firefighters,” Lindgren said. “We do also get to see quite a bit of his brother Jed, and follow his arc in the story. Another change was the introduction of a character, a Historical Society Representative, in kind of a nod to Our Town.”

Though the overall process was collaborative, Lindgren said there were no blurred lines between director and playwright, and Perry’s first foray into writing in the genre is solid.

The writing took place over the course of four months, while Lindgren got to work on casting and a musical score, both of which were fulfilled by dipping into the deep pool of Chippewa Valley talent. It turns out that all cast and crew (save one), as well as musical composer Sean Carey are alumni, current students, or faculty of UW-Eau Claire, all living and working in the Chippewa Valley. Assistant professor of theater Arthur Grothe played one of the more comedic roles in the show – Beagle, the one-eyed firefighter.

“This production speaks to the creative and theatrical talent connected to the university and in the community, and has deepened those connections,” Grothe said. “The show is a true celebration of local artistry. It was a great pleasure to work with our Blugold alumni as they continue to hone and develop their craft.”

The role of firefighter Pam was portrayed by acclaimed local theater veteran Molly Barnes. Barnes, who graduated from both Loyola University’s theater program and UW-Eau Claire’s graduate program in English education, brought depth, humility, and authenticity to the stage.

“It was cool to see Mike working as both writer and performer. Although his characters are mostly based on real people, he let us get to know them and bring them to life in our own ways,” Barnes said. “Pam became a real person to me as I was playing her.”

As a dedicated local in every way, taking advantage of the incredible Chippewa Valley resources was important to Perry from the start.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to work with local talent to launch a project I’ve had on the back burner for so long,” Perry said. “It’s been a new and rewarding experience to turn my words over to someone else’s interpretation.”

One of those resources was musical talent, and nationally successful artist Carey came to the project with the skill, experience, and sensitivity needed to underscore Perry’s words with just the right sound.

“Collaborating with Sean was a breeze. I gave him words or descriptors of the vibe we were trying to evoke and he really went from there,” Lindgren said. “He did what I love to do with theater, which is underscore dialogue like in a film. Having Sean play live really helped the show – he would improvise as the scenes unfolded, helping the actors to deliver more honest reactions.”

Barnes said it takes a particularly special writer like Perry to be able to translate all the nuances and poignancy of his best-seller and carry those traits to the stage, but it was something the actors were excited to take on.

“One of the reasons Mike is so well-loved as an author is that he tells these regional stories with such wit and sensitivity that you don’t have to be from the area to appreciate his stories of home,” she said. “This was a unique show, particularly because there was nothing really to compare it to – it was all a new experiment. That’s what made it both challenging and exciting.”

So what’s next for Population: 485 and this talented ensemble?  Stay tuned, as the chance of more shows seems nearly a sure bet. As Lindgren put it, “This is just our beginning.”