2005-2006

News Release

REF NO.: 71

SUBJECT:

DATE: October 26, 2005

“It’s so hot and still this time of year. When it gets this way I’d welcome a good strong wind.”

The Theatre Program at Sir Wilfred Grenfell College is proud to announce its first production of the year: the Pulitzer Prize winning play by American Playwright William Inge, Picnic.

In 1952, Inge, a contemporary and friend of Tennessee Williams, had already written Come Back, Little Sheba, a play that had earned him the title of “most promising playwright of the 1950 Broadway season.” But his follow-up that year would break all records.

Picnic takes place on a back porch in a small Kansas town where Flo Owens is raising her two daughters to fulfill the dreams that did not come true for her. Her neighbor, Mrs. Potts, and her boarder, Rosemary, join her on the porch for regular chats and gossip. But the private little world these women have built for themselves is broken one day when a rugged, handsome vagrant comes to town, bringing with him a breeze they did not expect.

Following its hugely successful run on Broadway, Picnic went on to be made into the classic film staring Kim Novak and William Holden.

Alumnus of the Theatre Program and Artistic Director of Vancouver’s Pound of Flesh Theatre, Stephen Drover returns to direct Picnic, featuring the acting talents of second, third and fourth year students. This is Stephen’s third time returning to teach and direct at Grenfell (The Taming of the Shrew and Sam’s Shorts).

Set and costume design are by Assistant Professor roy Hansen-robitschek and lighting design by Rebecca Miller, a visiting artist returning from Ottawa.

Picnicruns from November 2nd to November 5th at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are available at the College Bookstore or at the Box Office on the evening of each performance. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and seniors.

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