South Bend Civic Theatre opens its 2012 Studio Theatre Season with the classic comic fable written by Jean Giraudoux “The Madwoman of Chaillot,” onstage February 10-19.
‘It is noon on the day before tomorrow’ and trouble is brewing in Paris. The wealthy and corrupt powers-that-be are determined to raze the city in their quest for oil beneath the streets. The only thing that stands in their way is the determination of the colorful and eccentric inhabitants of the city to save their precious home. Led by the crazy-as-a-fox Countess Aurelia, the motley group attempts to prove that ‘nothing is ever so wrong in this world that a sensible woman can’t set it right in the course of an afternoon.’
Written in 1943 to buoy spirits in war-torn France, this play is urgently relevant in a time when tea parties and occupiers grab attention with their attempts to rail against the haves. With ‘language awash in lusciousness and wit’ (NY Times), “The Madwoman of Chaillot” is a play that celebrates the spirit of community.
Director Tami Ramaker leads this imaginative tale with a madcap cast: Vinny Bilancio, Lisa Blodgett, Connie Chalko, Clare Costello, Dan Driscoll, Bob Franklin, Dawn Hagerty, Mary Ann Moran, Braidon Nutting, Tegan Orosz, Carolyn Sherman, B.J. Simpson, Madison Simpson, Allison Simpson, Victoria Slagle, Douglas Streich, Patrick Trimboli, Ann Umbaugh, and Libby Unruh; with original music by Seyhan Kilic.
“The Madwoman of Chaillot” runs February 10-19 in the Studio Theatre, 403 N Main Street. Performances are Friday and Saturday at 8:00 pm ($18), Sunday at 3:00 pm ($18), and Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 pm ($15). Tickets can be purchased at the box office at 574-234-1112 from 12-6 pm weekdays, or online.
Individual, corporate and/or foundation sponsors help underwrite production costs of each SBCT production throughout the calendar year.
