Talking to the cast of "Crimes of the Heart"

Taking the stage this weekend at the Renaissance Theatre in Huntington is the play Crimes of the Heart, and over the next few days we'll feature some e-interviews with members of the cast.

Let's start off with Amy Carlson:

Q: For those who aren't familiar with Crimes of the Heart, give us the basic story behind it.

Amy: Crimes of the Heart is a story about three sisters who have had a different and sometimes difficult upbringing in Hazelhurst, Mississippi. The oldest sister has been taking care of a sick grandfather, the middle sister is home from Hollywood with a secret, and the youngest sister has just shot her Senator husband. In the middle of all this there is a harpy crazy cousin, a boyfriend from the past and a young lawyer who has an interest in helping the sisters, especially the youngest sister. You will laugh, cry and repeat at this southern gothic, Pulitzer Prize winning play.

Q: Tell us about the character you play.

Amy: I get to play the middle sister, Meg McGrath. She is a wild child who loves and protects her sisters. She is a singer who left Hazelhurst to pursue a career in Hollywood. But she left behind a ex-boyfriend and a past she has been running away from. She is home to help Babe and ends up helping herself. She is a strong, wild, out spoken, confident and funny girl. I love playing her!

Q: What's the most challenging thing about this show?

Amy: The most challenging this about the show is the constant highs and lows of the story. One minute you are running high on laughs and the next it is a quiet real moment of care and concern. Honesty runs throughout the play and the challenge is keeping the extremes honest and sincere.

Q: What's your favorite scene in the show?

Amy: My favorite scenes to play are really any scenes where the three sisters are on stage together. I love playing a sister and there is a great argument in Act II that is so much fun to play.

Q: Why would you recommend this show to our readers?

Amy: I would recommend this show because it is not like anything else that I have seen in this town in years. It is a dark comedy that speaks to the strength of family and how love overcomes even the hardest times. Each sister has to overcome the Crimes of the Heart she has committed. Come check it out!

Q: Tell us the dates, times and place for the show.

Amy: The show runs at ARTS (the Renaissance Theatre) Aug. 17, 18, 24 and 25 at 8 p.m. and Aug. 19 and 26 at 2 p.m.

Thanks, Amy! Tomorrow we'll hear from the "Doc."