The Wilton Playshop's production of The Shadow Box features a talented cast of actors and actresses - many with professional credits -- from nearly every part of Fairfield County and beyond who play central roles in the Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning play by Michael Cristofer, directed by Jackob Hofmann. The drama opens this Friday, January 21st and runs through Saturday, January 29th.
The play follows three different characters living out their final days - with joy, passion and a celebration of life and love -- in cabins in the woods surrounded by their families and memories.
"It's cheaper than therapy," is how Brad Shwidock of Stamford describes his role as Brian, a dying man who relishes every single moment of his days with humor, humanity and a lust for life.
Like his character Brian, Brad also found himself facing a death sentence. In fact, when he saw The Shadow Box in Stamford several years ago, he was dying. He was fortunate to receive a liver transplant two years ago. And when he was called to audition for the play, he felt it was something he had to do.
"You always think you have more time," he said reflectively, of himself and his character. "And then you don't." Dr. Shwidock, whose wife Carol also acts and was recently seen on stage in
The Playshop's production of Sweet Charity, has become an active promoter of organ and tissue donation through the ctorganandtissuedonation.org website and registry for organ donation.
From Wilton, Ross Pforzheimer, makes his Wilton-stage debut as Steve, the eager young son of the dying Joe whose mother Maggie, cannot face the reality of her husband's situation. Ross has appeared in many school plays and several industrial films, but The Shadow Box is his first production in his hometown of Wilton where his mother Zelie and brothers Tucker and Jack have all paved a theatrical path.
Will Jeffries from Bethel plays Ross' father Joe and Kim McGrath of Woodbridge plays his mother Maggie. Ms. McGrath makes the long commute to rehearsals and back noting that "This is a special play and a wonderful theater that is having a renaissance."
Another young student in the production is Will Cohn of Westport. He plays Mark, the young lover of Dr. Shwidock's character Brian. Will brings an impressive list of local theater roles to the production. While trying to come to terms with his partners' pending fate, his character must also deal with the surprise appearance of Brian's ex-wife Beverly, played by Nancy Sinacori of Stamford. Ms. Sinacori appeared last year in
The Playshop's production of The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man in the Moon Marigolds, which was also directed by Mr. Hofmann.
Cynthia Sepe from Darien plays the third dying character - Felicity - with surprising spunkiness and irreverence. She appears in a wheelchair pushed by her dutiful daughter Agnes, played by Jessie Gilbert of Weston, and delivers a series of hard and fast one-liners about her "piss-poor" health.
At the center of the drama, eliciting insight and understanding about the situation of each character is the "interviewer," played by Emily Frangipane of Norwalk. As each character and their story unfold when they talk with the interviewer and interact with their loved ones, their stories overlap. The ending is a reaffirmation of each characters appreciation for all the precious moments of life and love as seen through the eyes of the living and dying.
Make Reservations for The Shadow Box
The Shadow Box will have performances Friday and Saturday, January 21 and 22 at 8 PM, Sunday, January 23rd at 2 PM, and Thursday, January 27th through Saturday, January 29th at 8 PM.
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