Photo Flash: First Look at THE MAIDS at The Sherman Playhouse

On Friday, September 13, The Sherman Playhouse will present Jean Genet's controversial, thought-provoking drama, THE MAIDS. The curtain goes up at 8:00 p.m. on this four-week run. Scroll down for a first look at the cast in action!

Loosely based on true events, THE MAIDS takes place in 1940s France where we find Solange (Kelly McMurray, Danbury) and Claire (Emma Nissenbaum, New Milford): two housemaids and sisters who construct secret, elaborate rituals when their mistress, known simply as "Madame," (Katherine Almquist, Sharon) is away. The focus of their role-playing is the murder of Madame and they take turns portraying both sides of the power divide. The story follows the sisters as they weave through past and present, fiction and fantasy, truth and lies, and finally, detection and escape. For Solange and Claire, the ritual becomes reality as they face the ultimate challenge of despair, jealousy, hatred, and sisterly love.

"There are some times in my career as a director that I call upon and appreciate all the fantastic training I have been given to fortify me during the rehearsal process of any given show," said director, producer, and Sherman Playhouse president Robin Frome of New Milford. "The rehearsal process of this production is certainly one of those times. With a great cast of talent and experience and a marvelous playwright to draw from and interpret, I feel incredibly lucky to be tackling this project."

Besides Mr. Frome, the production crew consists of costumer and stage manager, Lynn Nissenbaum, sound designers, Martin Rosato and David White, and lighting designer Al Chiapetta.

THE MAIDS premiered at the Théâtre de l'Athénée in Paris on April 17, 1947. The play made its New York debut at the Tempo Playhouse, St. Mark's Place, on May 6, 1955.

THE MAIDS runs September 13,14 20,21,22 27,28 October 4,5. Curtain time is 8:00 p.m. Fridays & Saturdays, with a 2:00 p.m. Sunday matinee on September 22. Tickets for all shows are $20 for general seating. Reservations can be made online at WWW.SHERMANPLAYERS.ORG or by calling the box office at (860) 354-3622. The Sherman Playhouse is a non-professional community theater located at 5 Route 39 North (next to the fire house) in Sherman, Conn.

Photo Credit: Josh Siegel