Whatever the theme may be of an Andy’s Summer Playhouse production, those in the audience can be guaranteed to be drawn into its message. “Dispatches from the Hilltop” not only draws the audience in, but they become part of the play.

This was accomplished before the play began by asking those attending to fill out replies to one, two or three questions posed on slips of paper scattered on table tops at stage front. The answers offered by many of the audience members became part of the production, making each evening’s play a unique performance. This exercise was just one portion of “becoming present with one another,” one of the themes of the production.

“Dispatches” is a multimedia play with multiple cameras and microphones in 11 parts. The first part, viewed on a large screen above center stage, is both a video/message center throughout the play and a streaming photographic introduction to all the actors on stage. This portion was the work of several young teenage tech apprentices.

The remaining 10 parts offer a message from either the past or present or casts a look towards the future – all centered around the essence of Andy’s Summer Playhouse and its hilltop location.

Once the lights dimmed and action began, it began gently, with a song by one young actress, then two more joined. Finally the entire cast of 30 were on stage raising their voices, introducing the audience to “Dispatch Ten - How it Begins.” This dispatch relayed a brief history lesson about the playhouse origins.

“Dispatch Nine- Reflections” and “Dispatch Eight- Mementos” continued the historic theme, staged with props reflecting the idea of what and why memories and things are honored and saved. “Dispatch Seven” was a transmission focused upon future possibilities, while the next two dispatches, Nos. 6 and 5, involved the telling of two tales, “The Boy Who Became a Tree” and “The Forest.” After each story was read, those on stage again expanded upon their messages.

Another transmission, this time based upon the concept of being or not being alone was sent in “Dispatch Four.” Six performers read some of the audience replies to the theme of aloneness, followed by the other young actors and actresses on stage continuing to discuss this concept.

“Dispatch Three – The Loneliest Whale,” continued the theme of being alone through song and action, complete with a charmingly rendered many-sectioned paper whale floating behind the entire stage.

Dispatches two and one both dealt with the meaning of “forever” in a variety of ways, starting with reading the final selections of audience submissions. Several of the actors and actresses took on this topic through the vehicle of heartfelt personal statements that dealt with overcoming fear, enduring friendship, change and the creating and meaning of family, along with the communal history people share when working and taking on challenges together under an Andy’s umbrella.

A final choral summation by the entire ensemble concluded the performance, while the audience offered a standing ovation to the cast.

When leaving the Playhouse, it was easy to see how the theater’s mission that Artistic Director Jared Mezzocchi outlined during his introduction was handled in this production. The mission focuses on the ability of playwrights, techs and actors to turn complicated and intellectually challenging works into theatrical performances that enlighten and entertain both the audience and the young actors performing them, while offering content that continues to bring people back to the theater.

Indeed, this was delightfully and courageously handled by the actors and tech team in “Dispatches From The Hilltop.”

The final performances will be through Saturday, July 27 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets may be purchased online at andyssummerplayhouse.org, by phone at 603-654-6213 or at the door. Andy’s Summer Playhouse is at 582 Isaac Frye Highway in Wilton.