May 10 - June 9, 2018
Miss Witherspoon
by Christopher Durang
Directed by Sabian Trout
Starring
Lesley Abrams as Miss Witherspoon
Bree Boyd as Mother 1 / Mother 2
Carlisle Ellis as Maryamma
Drew Kallen-Keck as Father 1 / Father 2
Carley Elizabeth Preston as Teacher / Lady in Hat
ABOUT THE PLAY
This irreverent and insightful comedy follows Veronica on her wildly comic journey through the afterlife. Gandalf, Jesus, and a Hindu Spirit help guide us through this screwball look at life, death and reincarnation.
"This is Durang at the top of his metaphysical, apocalyptic, high-and-pop cultural game…thoroughly lovable. And funny." - NY Newsday
"A delightful eighty-minute crazy-quilt fantasy." - Associated Press
MISS WITHERSPOON is presented by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc., New York.
DIRECTOR'S NOTES
Thank you so much for choosing to attend this performance of MISS WITHERSPOON. I rarely include director's notes, but felt it was important to provide a frame of reference for this particular piece. As you watch the show there is one thing you must know: this is not a play about religion; it is an off-kilter comedy about personal journey and personal responsibility. It is sometimes hilarious, sometimes dark (often simultaneously) but it is never about challenging your personal beliefs around God or religion.
This quote sums up my interpretation of the play beautifully:
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure." - Marianne Williamson
Thanks again for choosing Live Theatre Workshop, and supporting the Arts in Tucson. I sincerely hope you enjoy the show!
- Sabian Trout, Director
PERFORMANCES
May 10 - June 9, 2018
Previews: May 10 and 11 at 7:30 PM
Opening Night: Saturday, May 12 at 7:30 PM
Regular Performances:
Thursday, Friday and Saturday Nights at 7:30 PM
Sunday Matinees at 3:00 PM
TICKETS
Previews & Thursday Tickets: $15
General Admission: $20
Students, Seniors 62+, & Military: $18
ABOUT THE PLAYWRIGHT
Christopher Durang is a playwright whose plays include A History of the American Film (Tony nomination, Best Book of a Musical, 1978), The Actor’s Nightmare, Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All For You (Obie award; off-Bway run 1981-83), Beyond Therapy (on Broadway in 1982, with Dianne Wiest and John Lithgow), Baby with the Bathwater (Playwrights Horizons, 1983), The Marriage of Bette and Boo (Public Theatre, 1985; Obie award, Dramatists Guild Hull Warriner Award), Laughing Wild (Playwrights Horizons, 1987), Durang/Durang (an evening of six plays at Manhattan Theatre Club, 1994, including the Tennessee Williams’ parody, For Whom the Southern Belle Tolls), Sex and Longing (Lincoln Center Theatre production at the Cort Theatre, 1996, starring Sigourney Weaver), and Betty’s Summer Vacation (Playwrights Horizons, 1999; Obie award).
His most recent works are Mrs. Bob Cratchit’s Wild Christmas Binge, which premiered at City Theatre in Pittsburgh in 2002. And the musical Adrift in Macao, with music by Peter Melnick and book and lyrics by Durang, which premiered at New York Stage and Film in summer 2002, and is under option for off-Broadway 2003-04.
Since 1994 he has been co-chair with Marsha Norman of the Playwriting Program at the Juilliard School in Manhattan.
He is a member of the Dramatists Guild Council.
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
Sabian Trout (Director) is thoroughly enjoying her twelfth season as LTW’s Artistic Director. A few favorite directing credits include THE BEST BROTHERS, BUYER & CELLAR, THE SAVANNAH DISPUTATION, PHOTOGRAPH 51, REGRETS ONLY, RECKLESS, HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE, TRYING, SHIRLEY VALENTINE, DANCING AT LUGHNASA, and ARSENIC AND OLD LACE. Sabian has over 30 years of experience as a director, actor, stage manager, producer and theatre teacher. Professional credits include productions at the Stratford Festival of Canada, Indiana Repertory Theatre, Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, Missouri Repertory Theatre, Actors Theatre of Phoenix,The Phoenix Theatre in Indianapolis, Austin’s State Theatre, LA Theatre Works, and Arizona Theatre Company.
Bree Boyd (Mother 1 / Mother 2) is so pleased to be performing in MISS WITHERSPOON at Live Theatre Workshop! Bree earned B.A. degrees in Speech Communication, Psychology, and Fine Arts in Acting in Louisiana- subsequently having an exciting career in TV, radio, concert tours, and film. She continues to follow her passion for performing in the metro-Tucson area (and can also be seen here at LTW on Sunday afternoons till June in the family series show SPACEMAN ZERO)! Past stage credits in Arizona include: THE HOUSE OF BLUE LEAVES, MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET, LAUGHTER ON THE 23RD FLOOR, and PRINCESS AND THE PEA at LTW; LET’S LIVE A LITTLE and INDOOR/OUTDOOR at IT, and more. Bree is grateful to her loved ones, as well as the LTW cast and crew family, for their unending support.
Drew Kallen-Keck’s (Father 1 / Father 2) mother will swear that she always knew Drew would be an actor, based on his behavior at the dinner table when brussel sprouts were being served. He started in theatre in Billings, Montana, with well-received performances as Rolph in THE SOUND OF MUSIC and Otto von Bruno in BULLSHOT CRUMMOND, where he began to hone his ability for comedy. Drew attended Montana State University’s Media and Theatre Arts program. He was involved in many University productions including RUMORS and TALLEY’S FOLLY, and he directed student films and a production of THE CURATE SHAKESPEARE AS YOU LIKE IT. After college, Drew moved to Phoenix, where he quickly became involved in The Actor’s Renaissance Theatre. Then, after his day job moved him to Tucson, he jumped into local stage work, with roles as Leonard in THE DOVER ROAD, Morell in CANDIDA and Dr Watson in many Sherlock Holmes productions. In addition to his theatre work, Drew produces video work for his local church and various other local projects.
Carley Elizabeth Preston (Teacher/Lady in Hat) - Ms. Preston is thrilled to be back on the LTW stage. This is Ms. Preston's sixth mainstage performance with Live Theatre Workshop. Her other credits include LOBBY HERO, MAURITIUS, SEARCH FOR SIGNS OF INTELLIGENT LIFE IN THE UNIVERSE, MOLLY SWEENEY, and ENCHANTED APRIL. Some of her other Tucson credits include MRS. MANNERLY (Mac Award Nominee for Best Actress), BOSTON MARRIAGE, BY THE BOG OF CATS, MIRACLE ON SOUTH DIVISION STREET (Mac Award Nominee for Best Actress), and KIMBERLY AKIMBO. Ms. Preston received her BFA in Acting and Directing from the University of Arizona where she was a member of the Arizona Repertory Theatre.
Lesley Abrams (Miss Witherspoon) is co-founder of the LaughingStock Comedy Company, which specializes in creating customized, improvised comedy for business audiences nationwide. She has performed locally in productions of WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF (Mac Award, Best Actress) THE LION IN WINTER, IMMORTAL LONGINGS, DOUBT, STEEL MAGNOLIAS, NOISES OFF, SISTER MARY IGNATIUS EXPLAINS IT ALL FOR YOU, and FROZEN (MAC Award, Best Actress.) She is thrilled to be returning to the mainstage at Live Theatre Workshop where she previously appeared in THREE VIEWINGS, DOROTHY PARKER’S LAST CALL (which she wrote) and THE LADY WITH ALL THE ANSWERS. She serves as the pastor to the joyful congregation of St John on the Desert and her performance is dedicated to all those with doubts and questions.
Carlisle Ellis (Maryamma) is making her sixteenth appearance on the mainstage at LTW having previously performed in THE CRIPPLE OF INISHMAAN, THE SAVANNAH DISPUTATION (2015 Az Daily Star MAC Award for Best Comedy), SHIRLEY VALENTINE (2012), SHIRLEY VALENTINE (2009, AZ Daily Star MAC Award for Best Actress), MOON OVER BUFFALO, STEEL MAGNOLIAS, and A PERFECT GANESH. Carlisle received a B.A. in Speech and Drama from Stanford University and has appeared with many other local theatre companies including Sacred Chicken Productions, Borderlands Theatre, The Invisible Theatre, and Arizona Repertory Theatre. Favorite roles outside of LTW include Gingy (LOVE, LOSS AND WHAT I WORE), Wikevich (ANTON IN SHOW BUSINESS), Melissa (LOVE LETTERS), Mary (ON THE VERGE), Marjorie (THE TALE OF THE ALLERGISTS WIFE), Lillian (THAT SLUT!), Susan (EL DESEO/DESIRE), Susan (WOMAN IN MIND), April (SAVAGE IN LIMBO), Juba (HEATHEN VALLEY), Kate (BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS and BROADWAY BOUND), Grace (FAITH HEALER) and Titania (A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM). My performance as Maryamma is dedicated to my beloved friend Nancy Wall.
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