'Benediction' Ends Trilogy About Fictional Town Of Holt, Colorado

DENVER (CBS4) - The people of the fictional Holt, Colorado have been followed through three books and two plays. Now the third play in the trilogy -- "Benediction" -- is on stage from the Denver Center Theatre Company.

Critic at Large Greg Moody took a look at the people and the town at the heart of the story.

Kent Haruf's town of Holt is a place out of time. It's 10 years ago, it's 40 years ago -- it's small town America; and those who have lived there know the people, the pace and the pressures of living in such a place.

Moody said "Benediction," the third play of the trilogy by Eric Schmiedl, is a fitting and absorbing finale tale of small town lives that intertwine on unexplored paths, and in unexpected ways.

Mike Hartman plays Dad Lewis, the Holt Hardware Store owner dying of cancer and wondering if there is time to right long, simmering wrongs. Joyce Cohen as his wife is quietly strong, pulling parts together as her own life slowly unravels.

Moody said the play sounds dark, and there are certainly moments of sorrow within. Yet Haruf and Schmiedl infuse the story with the rich sense of life itself and the uplifting realization found in both the connection with neighbors and the smallest gestures of human kindness.

Moody said the play is touching, profound, rich, stirring -- and human.

"Benediction" runs through March 1. For tickets, visit denvercenter.org.