Feb. 25, 2008 – "Mother Hicks," written by Suzan Zeder, opens at 7 p.m., on Friday, Feb. 29, at Pistarckle Theater. The night will begin with a champagne reception hosted by H. Stern at 6:30 p.m. There will be a preview "pay-as-you-can" performance given on Thursday, Feb. 28, also at 7 p.m.
The play, directed by Bethany Burgess-Smith, is set in a small, southern Illinois town that struggles in the time of the Great Depression. Mother Hicks (Nancy Nagrant), a peculiar woman, who lives alone at the top of Dug Hill, is blamed by the townspeople for cursing their town. They say she's a witch, but two other town outcasts, Tuc (Heath Corriette) a young deaf man and an orphan known only as Girl (Emma Merritt), show the people who she really is. The playwright questions the feelings of isolation, prejudice and being misjudged.
"I am consistently drawn to pieces that give us the opportunity to experience something new in our lives, re-examine something old in our lives, and provide inspiration toward a path for action," the director said.
All cast members attended sign language classes with sign master Sarah Hancock. Though the play is spoken, signing is part of the story's message.
The cast also stars Zoe Banfield, Shamilia Goomansingh, Jaia Hendrickson, Emmanuel T. Horsford, Adam Kloper, Ariane Ladd, Oliver Lundin, Nathan Meersman, Haley Porter, Samantha Rosebury, Ian Simpson, Bill Thompson, Talisse Thompson, S. Cory Willis and Skye Van Rensselaer.
Pistarckle will run a preview night at 7 p.m., on Friday, Feb. 28, which is "pay-as-you-can." Other performances will be held at 7 p.m., on Feb. 29 (opening night), March 1, 6, 7, 8, 14, and 15. There will also be a matinee held at 2 p.m., on Saturday, March 15. Ticket prices are $20 in advance and $23 the day of the performance for adults, $10 students. Group rates are available to eight or more for the price of $14 adults/$7 students.
Every Friday performance, Pistarckle Theater will donate half the money made in a raffle to send deaf students on island to a deaf summer camp in the States. Fridays will also feature discussions with the audience after the show with Kisias George, a hearing impaired woman on island.
Seating is limited, so please call and make your reservation at 775-7877. Visit Pistarckle online at www.pistarckletheater.vi.
