Mad Horse Theatre Presents VIGILS, Now thru 2/2

Mad Horse Theatre Company heats up the cold winter nights with the Maine Premiere of VIGILS, Noah Haidle's 2009 hilarious, heartbreaking comedy that cunningly examines the journey from love and loss to ultimately embracing life.

Two years ago The Widow's husband, a fireman, died in a burning building trying to save a baby. The Widow has been unable to let go or move on with her life. She still keeps her husband's clothes in the closet... and she keeps his Soul locked in a box, a prisoner of her love. The Widow takes The Soul out for conversation and the occasional hug. The Soul is being drawn away from her world and on to the next, but The Soul can't truly move on until the Widow does.

Things get more complicated when The Widow agrees to a date with The Wooer, a friend of her husband who has been looking forward to this for a long time. While The Widow and The Wooer are on their date, The Soul and The Body play out moments from their life with The Widow, and their death.

VIGILS is directed by Mad Horse Company member Nathan Speckman, who directed Haidle's wildly popular MR. MARMALADE, at last year's Port Fringe Festival. The cast includes Company members Burke Brimmer, Janice Gardner and Mark Rubin, with Guest Artists Jody McColman and Raina Sparks.

The design team includes Rene Johnson (stage manager), Heather Crocker (lighting), Scott Leland (set/props), Jake Cote (sound), Anna Halloran (costumes), and Sam Rapaport (projections).

VIGILS runs tonight, January 16-February 2, 2014. Performance times are Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights at 7:30, and Sunday afternoons at 2pm.

All performances are at the Mad Horse Theater in the Hutchins School, 24 Mosher Street, South Portland.

Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for seniors and students. As always, Mad Horse offers Pay What You Can performances each Thursday during the run, as available at the door.

Reservations are strongly recommended. Purchase tickets online at www.madhorse.com or call 747-4148 for more information. Group rates are also available.

Photo credit: James Hoban