BY DEIRDRE PARKER SMITH
SALISBURY POST

At turns spooky and silly, weird and all too real, Piedmont Players’ production of ‘‘Dark of the Moon’’ works on many different levels.

With a cast that works as a real mountain community, the sad, sad tale of Barbara Allen comes to life, thanks in great part to Tara Varner, who plays the doomed Barbara, and Drew Fowler, the witch boy turned human, John.

But support from a nicely congealed cast makes this a show not just about two people but about a way of life, a time of legend and dreams.

Varner, as Barbara, is full of spirit and certainty. No one can stop her from having what she wants. An equal match for her is Fowler, as John, who plays the first and last scenes as a witch. He manages a complete character change in just moments.

As the human, he’s a person to be reckoned with but still oddly uncomfortable in this mortal skin.

This old legend brings John’s love for a human, Barbara, and her tragic fate to life. To have Barbara, he must beg for a spell from the Conjur Man, an impressive William Ragsdale, and then his Conjur Woman, a role Nancy Gaines obviously relishes.

He can be human on one condition: Barbara must remain faithful for a year.

Her bewildered parents, played with great honesty by Lori Van Wallendael and Darrell Brown, don’t know what to do about Barbara, who’s been pleasuring herself long enough to earn a reputation. No one will marry her. So when John shows some interest, both the preacher and Mrs. Allen jump at the chance.

But it’s a strange marriage from the start, taking place in the general store because John won’t set foot in the church. Barbara’s already pregnant after an earlier night with John, the witch, a night that almost seemed like a dream.

Their married life begins, but never runs smooth as the suspicious mountain folk brand John as a witch. The birth of Barbara’s child makes matters worse.

Act 2 brings the rousing and at times comical revival at the church in Buck Creek.

Minister David Crook not only looks the part and has the background, he’s totally believable as the Bible-thumping, corn-liquor drinking, fire and brimstone preacher. He almost earned applause for his revival fervor on opening night.

But the revival has an evil turn to it, one the people think will save Barbara Allen from the witch’s spell. It’s a chilling moment played at a fever pitch.

Telling the story along with the humans are two enticing and attractive witches, Amanda Kay Jones and Kim Sanders, who are never too far away from John. They want him back and Barbara dead. In the worst way. Their appearances bring the dark side of the legend to life.

Varner shines in the highly emotional scenes, bringing the audience to a different level altogether.

The clever dialogue, written almost like poetry, repeats key phrases and words, so that you feel you’re listening to an ancient storyteller spinning a tale.

With a set that works well as the eerie Bald Mountain and the small town, the design is just right for telling a legend, for pulling people in. Using a raked stage and an intriguing ‘‘rolling stone,’’ director and designer Reid Leonard brings the old song to life. Lighting, too, plays a part in keeping the whole thing in a sort of permanent twilight.

Many performers have a chance to shine, like Janie Savage as Miss Metcalf, Carrie Sokolowski as Mrs. Summey and Scotty Thomas as Mrs. Bergen.

The men gathered in the general store seem like real men, not just characters or stereotypes.

Kudos to Graham Carlton, who stepped in Thursday for Nick Bishop in the part of Uncle Smelicue. Bishop had a family emergency and had to leave town. Carlton jumped right in and carried the part off well.

With musical accompaniment by Piedmont regulars such as Matthew Weaver, always a welcome addition, the show works as a whole package.

A PG-13 suggested rating is probably sensible, although it’s nothing worse than you’d see on an afternoon or evening soap opera. At just two hours, the play seems to move quickly, without any spots that drag.

What makes ‘‘Dark of the Moon’’ work is that the cast believes what they’re telling and tells it with gusto.

‘‘Dark of the Moon,’’ underwritten by Statewide Title, continues tonight and Saturday and March 24-27 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, March 21 at 2:30 p.m. at the Meroney Theater. For tickets, call 633-5471.