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Breakdown
HARVEY
Director: Gavin Mayer
Playwright: Mary Chase
Rehearsals: January 6, 2015
Opens: January 27, 2015
Closes February 22, 2015
SEEKING:
Ethel Chauvenet
Mrs. Chauvenet is a good friend of the family. She is a member of the town’s social circle that Veta desperately wants Myrtle to break into.
Betty Chumley
Dr. Chumley’s wife. She is very sweet and thoughtful.
Dr. William B. Chumley
Chumley is the head of Chumley’s Rest and a well-respected psychiatrist. The doctor is very protective of the reputation of his hospital and will do whatever it takes to protect it. More vulnerable than he would admit.
Elwood P. Dowd
Elwood is friendly, thoughtful man. Elwood is Veta’s older brother. The central character of the show, his closest friend is a 6 foot tall invisible rabbit.
Judge Omar Gaffney
The judge is an old family friend of the Dowds and, the family’s lawyer.
Ruth Kelly
Nurse Kelly is a sympathetic character who seems to have some sort of love/hate relationship with Dr. Sanderson.
E. J. Lofgren
E.J. Lofgren is a cab driver who possesses a great deal of insight about the hospital and its patients.
Dr. Lyman Sanderson
Dr. Sanderson is young and highly qualified and vain psychiatrist, hand picked by Chumley. His talent is only surpassed by his vanity. He is as infatuated with Nurse Kelly.
Myrtle Mae Simmons
Myrtle is Veta’s Daughter (Elwood’s Niece). Both Veta and Myrtle are desperate to find a husband for Myrtle. She is extremely self-centered.
Veta Louise Simmons
Elwood’s younger sister, Veta has returned to the family home after the death of her mother and is very concerned about fitting into society and all that entails. She also loves her older brother Elwood, the relationship that drives the action of the play.
Wilson
The man Chumley hires to physically motivate the patients to obey. He has eyes for Myrtle the moment he meets her.
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THE ARCHBISHOP'S CEILING
Playwright Arthur Miller
Director: Brett Aune
Rehearsals: March 3,2015
Opens: March 24, 2015
Closes: April 19, 2015
THE STORY: The setting is an ornate room in a former Archbishop's palace in an Eastern European capital, a room which has probably been bugged by the secret police. The central character is a middle-aged author, Sigmund, who, having embarrassed the current regime, is faced with the choice of detention and punishment or defection to the West. He is encouraged in the latter by two of his former friends, also writers, his compatriot Marcus, an ex-political prisoner now in favor with the regime, and Adrian, a visiting American with strongly liberal ideals. The situation is complicated by the presence of Myra, a poet and actress, who has been the mistress of all three. It is the complexity of the relationship of these four, the inextricable interweaving of politics, art and sex, and the constant uncertainty as to whether what they say may be overheard that makes for a rich and deeply intriguing play—and one that, in the final essence, raises questions not only about morality and individual responsibility but also about the very nature of reality in a world where absolutes seem to shift and blur as expediency dictates.
SEEKING:
Adrian
(Male, 30s-40s): American writer. Quite famous after a string of successes. He is grounded in principle, which results in both arrogance and naiveté. Fiercely loyal to his friends. Wants to do the right thing and is often unsure what that is. Respects Marcus and Sigmund as contemporaries, and looks up to Sigmund, as well. He is aware of his station in life, and the good fortune of being born an American. Charming, humorous, intelligent.
MAYA
(Female, 30s-40s): Speaks with a Czech accent. One-time poet and playwright, now host of an innocuous Saturday morning television show. Seems to be weighted down by the current state of her country, and carries both sensuality and melancholy about her. Has been the lover of all three men, was until recently the wife of Marcus, and still occasionally resides in his home (the former Archbishop’s house; setting for the play). Possibly working directly for the state, or possibly just shedding her dissident ideology as she gets older, or possibly covering up her true and continuing revolutionary ideology out of fear of the current government. Believes strongly in Sigmund’s newest book, and wants it to be published because of/despite what it reveals about her country’s current political condition. Reserved, intelligent, occasionally fiery.
SIGMUND
(Male, 40s-60s): Speaks with a Czech accent. The country’s most famous – and most revolutionary – novelist of the time. His current work is an expose of the political regime, and has been confiscated. He has been openly monitored and intimidated by the government, and is faced with punishment if he stays in his country. He has the opportunity for a very comfortable life in exile in the States, but cannot bear to leave his birthplace, whatever the consequences. He overtook Marcus’ position as the most famous writer in the country while Marcus was in prison for political crimes, and although Sigmund now considers Marcus a contemporary, there is skepticism and jockeying between them. Headstrong to a fault, intelligent, loyal, precise.
MARCUS
(Male, 40s-50s): Speaks with a Czech accent. For a time, the most famous writer in the country, prior to imprisonment for political crimes. Marcus is now in the favor of the current regime and likely working for it. The setting of the play is Marcus’ residence, which has (possibly) been bugged by the government to entrap artists. Very pragmatic, he seems to want the best for Sigmund but could also secretly be working to have him arrested. It is unclear if he has an affinity for the current government out of a newfound principle, or if he is simply enjoying the fruits of being ‘an insider.’ Intelligent, enigmatic, by turns friendly and acerbic.
IRINA
(Female, 20s-30s): Speaks with a Danish accent. Speaks very little English. Arrives on Marcus’ arm. Provides a true outsider perspective – one who does not know the language or the customs or the history of the country, and certainly is unaware of the gravity of the current situation. Seems naïve and provides a good deal of humor. While the other characters are discussing politics, art, freedom, life and death, Irina repeatedly interrupts with requests for music, dancing, and food. Pretty, probably blond, ebullient.
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