In 2007, Adam Fontana portrayed Tevye in the Durango High School production of “A Fiddler on the Roof.” Then a high school senior, he was tasked to create a weary village elder and father of five daughters who was forced to confront massive social change.
Two of the benefits of communal memory is vivid recollection and a printed record. In November 2007, I wrote: “Tevye meditates on the importance of maintaining balance in one’s personal and communal life.” I also commented on Fontana’s solid performance under Mona Wood-Patterson’s direction.
If you go
WHAT: Merely Players presents “Swing State.”
WHEN: 7 p.m. Feb. 7, 8, 11, 13 and 14. 2 p.m. Feb. 9 and 16.
WHERE: Merely Underground, 789 Tech Center Drive.
TICKETS: $32-$36.
MORE INFORMATION: Visit merelyplayers.org or call 749-8585.
Well, W-P, as she is called, continues to create theatrical magic at Merely Players, Durango’s semiprofessional company, with co-founder Charles Ford. Together, they assemble a cohort that often includes former DHS students who have gone on to professional careers. Such is the case with Fontana and his wife, Equity Actor Erika Vetter.
Both have theater degrees from the University of Northern Colorado and have flourished in parallel careers. They live in New York City, auditioning for roles in theater, movies and television. Vetter most recently appeared in an episode of “Only Murders in the Building.” Fontana is scheduled to appear in the CBS comedy-crime drama “Elspeth” in March. And like ambitious young theater professionals, they chalk up credits, sustain their Equity status and jump from one format – or city – to another.
But Colorado is home base for the Fontana-Vetter alliance, so they say. In the recent past, they returned for two Shakespearean productions with Merely Players: “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and most recently as Orlando and Rosalind in “As You Like It.” This winter, they’ve been invited to perform in Rebecca Gilman’s “Swing State.”
“Mona and Charles saw ‘Swing State’ during its New York run at Minetta Land Theatre in 2023,” Fontana said. “They were pleased how shortly after the rights (for regional performances) became available Merely Players got the first rights outside the original production. They reached out to us to gauge our interest in being part of the cast.”
“We love coming back, and the prospect of working with Zachary (Chiero, director) again and being part of Mona’s return to the stage was something we were honored to be offered,” Vetter said.
“The real story of this production is that Mona is back on stage,” Fontana said.
W-P plays retired guidance counselor Peg Smith in Gilman’s play. It takes place in 2021 in rural Wisconsin. Smith and her late husband had moved to a converted farmhouse on 40 acres and then he suddenly died. She befriends Ryan, a troubled young neighbor (Fontana). Kris, the local sheriff (Cindy Laudadio-Hill) and her niece Dani (Vetter), a deferential deputy, enter this unusual social web.
“While the title, ‘Swing State,’ clearly refers to the location of the play, Wisconsin being a politically ‘purple’ state, the play is not overtly political,” Fontana said. “I believe the title more specifically refers to our ability to change perceptions of individuals or realities – if we’re so willing.”
Judith Reynolds is an arts journalist and member of the American Theatre Critics Association.
