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PITTSBURG —
An encounter between her skull and a garden rake sends an unhappy middle-aged British woman into a fantasy reality in “Woman in Mind,” final production of the Pittsburg State University Theatre.
The play, by British author Alan Ayckbourn, will be presented at 8 p.m. today through Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday in the PSU Studio Theatre. Linden Little is director of the show, in partial fulfillment of his master’s degree requirements.
“This is a very interesting play,” he said, adding that it “reveals the swirling masses of color and flavor that constitute our everyday reality with our fantastic visions of what could be.”
Graduate student Kristy Magee is Susan, who hallucinates an ideal family complete with adoring husband Andy, played by Duke Walter, a lovely and loving daughter played by Michelle Rhoades and a charming brother played by Patrick Poe. Also in the fantasy, Susan is an acclaimed author of historical romances.
Her reality is dismal, with Chris Stonecipher as husband Gerald, a clergyman obsessed with writing a history of his parish from 1386 to the present. Even worse is his sister, a hilariously appalling widow played by Robyn Hilt, who has moved in with the couple. Susan and Gerald have one son, Rick, played by Robert Wilson. He has been with a weird sect which forbids members to speak to family members.
Completing the cast is Austin Curtright as the hapless doctor who tries to help Susan and stays for lunch when Rick finally comes to visit his parents. He’s finally speaking again, but that only makes matters worse for Susan. She turns to her fantasy family for comfort, only to be warned by her dream husband, “Beware, Susie! Nothing is who it is. No one is what he seems.”
Lisa Quinteros is costume designer. “The cut of the clothes displays the pattern of the characters’ personalities,” she said.
Doug Bennett is scenic designer, with Jason Huffman as sound designer and Curtright as stage manager.
PSU Theatre is dedicated to active social engagement, and this production will help the newly organized Pittsburg chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, which provides a network of support for individuals coping with mental illness. There will be an information display on NAMI in the theater lobby, and donations will be collected there. In addition, PSU theater students will assist May 7 when NAMI hosts an event.
Tickets are $9 for adults, $5 for those under 17 or over 65, and free for PSU students and staff with a valid PSU ID. Advance tickets are available from the PSU Ticket Office, and they may also be purchased at the door.
An encounter between her skull and a garden rake sends an unhappy middle-aged British woman into a fantasy reality in “Woman in Mind,” final production of the Pittsburg State University Theatre.
The play, by British author Alan Ayckbourn, will be presented at 8 p.m. today through Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday in the PSU Studio Theatre. Linden Little is director of the show, in partial fulfillment of his master’s degree requirements.
“This is a very interesting play,” he said, adding that it “reveals the swirling masses of color and flavor that constitute our everyday reality with our fantastic visions of what could be.”
Graduate student Kristy Magee is Susan, who hallucinates an ideal family complete with adoring husband Andy, played by Duke Walter, a lovely and loving daughter played by Michelle Rhoades and a charming brother played by Patrick Poe. Also in the fantasy, Susan is an acclaimed author of historical romances.
Her reality is dismal, with Chris Stonecipher as husband Gerald, a clergyman obsessed with writing a history of his parish from 1386 to the present. Even worse is his sister, a hilariously appalling widow played by Robyn Hilt, who has moved in with the couple. Susan and Gerald have one son, Rick, played by Robert Wilson. He has been with a weird sect which forbids members to speak to family members.
Completing the cast is Austin Curtright as the hapless doctor who tries to help Susan and stays for lunch when Rick finally comes to visit his parents. He’s finally speaking again, but that only makes matters worse for Susan. She turns to her fantasy family for comfort, only to be warned by her dream husband, “Beware, Susie! Nothing is who it is. No one is what he seems.”
Lisa Quinteros is costume designer. “The cut of the clothes displays the pattern of the characters’ personalities,” she said.
Doug Bennett is scenic designer, with Jason Huffman as sound designer and Curtright as stage manager.
PSU Theatre is dedicated to active social engagement, and this production will help the newly organized Pittsburg chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, which provides a network of support for individuals coping with mental illness. There will be an information display on NAMI in the theater lobby, and donations will be collected there. In addition, PSU theater students will assist May 7 when NAMI hosts an event.
Tickets are $9 for adults, $5 for those under 17 or over 65, and free for PSU students and staff with a valid PSU ID. Advance tickets are available from the PSU Ticket Office, and they may also be purchased at the door.
