Lifetime-In-The-Making Show Reflects Triumph of the Soul

by Nathalie Plotkin

JILL JACKSON is a special soul and spending an evening in her company supplies a rewarding experience. Her onewoman autooiographical presentation, “A Long Drink of Silence (A Banquet for the Soul),” is continues at the Cherry Center in Carmel and it is one special event.

Solo performances typically employ some highly skilled theatrical professional portraying a famed person for whom they feel empathy and understanding. Lately, we have seen a finely drawn impersonation of Beatrice Lillie using the material she made famous. Mark Twain, Will Rogers, Harry Truman have each been brought on stage using their writings and personal histories.

Jill Jackson is not assuming another’s persona; she is herself and that multifaceted, talented self is most appealing. In an hour and a half, she achieves a startling reality in both humor and sorrow. She entertains, she amuses, she sings very pleasantly, accompaflying herself on the guitar, and eventually she reaches out and reveals the darker aspects of her life. These are universal happenings and they touch chords in the minds of the listener.

She discusses the insights she has gained over time even as she recreates some wildly funny things that happened to her in happier times. Her physical energy is a joy to watch as she capers around the very handsome Southwestern style set.

This woman can illustrate highly amusing situations, but they also have a wistful tenderness, as when she describes her devastation when told at age 6 that she couldn’t be a nun.

In a delightful anecdote about her role as a snake handler in the play “Talking With,” she tells of getting acquainted with a rented python named Evie. Evie had personality. Evie also wanted her handler to know who was boss and asserted it by nearly choking Jackson. When the show closed, Jackson bought Evie because she had come to love her.

But life went on and the realities of the human condition and what time and circumstances did to the people she loved made for a more serious and hearttouching second act. She was not in command of her life and was finding herself in situations that did not work out. Yet she shows herself as an indomitable and fiery person who kept on striving.

The show includes many highly appropriate songs and Ms. Jackson is a stylish singer. Her delivery of “Georgia on My Mind,” which she used to calm and capture her audience in a biker bar, was irresistible. You could believe that it worked. But there were also some very tender sweet songs, demonstrating her feelings and what she has learned about living and loving.

Director Marlie Avant was wise to keep the show intimate even though the set appeared unusually spacious. The communication with the audience was warm and direct. She let Jackson speak and sing from her heart with openness and honesty, engaging our interest and empathy.

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