By Kristin Pettibon
The Pulitzer Prize-winning play "Crimes of the Heart," by Beth Henley, will be performed Nov. 9, 10, 16 and 17 at 8 p.m. in the Alumni Theatre. Tickets can be purchased for $5 for adults and $3 dollars for students and senior citizens. Free admission will be available for students with their college IDs.
The plot of the play revolves around the troubled McGrath sisters. Their childhood included a father who deserted them and a mother who hung herself along with the cat. The girls then moved to Hazlehurst, Miss. to live with their grandparents. Now grown, the sisters reunite and the audience learns their story through black comedy.
In addition to the 1981 Pulitzer Prize, the play has earned the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for the best new American play, the Great American Play Contest sponsored by the Actors Theatre in Louisville, Kentucky in 1979, a Tony Award nomination for best play and an Academy Award nomination for best adapted screenplay in 1986.
"It’s really funny at times and is definitely relatable, especially the relationships between the sisters. It’s easy to say ‘that’s how my family is.’ The family pulls together in times of need, which is definitely relatable with the way things are now," Nicole Chopyk, a freshman, said. Chopyk plays the part of Chick, the girls’ cousin.
The story takes place in the small rural Mississippi town of Hazlehurst in the 1970s. Hazlehurst is the type of town where everyone knows each other. For the most part, the play takes place in the women’s kitchen, with a front and back entrance.
At age 30, Lenny is the oldest sister and is caring for their ailing grandfather. It seems that Lenny will become a spinster, as she is overly self-conscious of her shrunken ovaries. This birth defect prevents her from ever having children. Junior Judi Cavanaugh plays the part of Lenny.
Meg is the middle sister and returns to Mississippi from California where she was pursuing her singing career. Her attempt failed, however, when she was committed to a mental hospital. Senior Candace LaRicci will portray Meg.
Sophomore Jake Landis plays Meg’s ex-boyfriend Doc Porter. "They were in Biloxi when a hurricane came through and she thought it would be fun to stay, so he stayed with her." Landis said. "The house ended up falling down and he hurt his leg. And she left him while he was in the hospital without telling him."
Kristy Sutch, a sophomore, will play the youngest of the sisters, Babe, who provides reason for the sisters’ reunion. After having an affair with a young teenage boy, Babe shot her husband in the stomach, and is currently free on bail. "[Babe] is used to being taken care of and protected." Sutch said. "She doesn’t want to grow up. She’s always in her own world, and she doesn’t want to face reality." Representing Babe is lawyer Barnett (sophomore Mark Fleming).
"I think the ending is the best part," Fleming said. "The girls all have a tragic flaw and at the end, they are standing up for themselves and conquering their flaws."
Local performer and adjunct theatre professor Terri Mastrobuono is directing the play. Her experience includes being an actress, director, writer, mime, consultant and arts educator.
The cast of six auditioned in late September and has been practicing since then. As with all of their plays, the auditions were open to anyone. About 25 people tried out.
"I think it’s going to be a great show; the cast has really come together," Chopyk said. "With only six people it is easy to get close and to help each other to become better performers.
"It’s a lot of fun," Fleming said. "It is really serious at times but there are absolutely hilarious parts too, so there is something for everyone."