ANNAPURNA To Be Presented By Lil Poppet Productions At Westminster University
Stephanie Stroud and Jeff Nichols star in Sharr White's play, directed by Matthew Ivan Bennett.
Salt Lake City-based Lil Poppet Productions will present ANNAPURNA by Sharr White, directed by Matthew Ivan Bennett, from May 4 through May 8 at the Dumke Blackbox Theatre at Westminster University.
The play centers on the reunion of estranged couple Ulysses and Emma, who reconnect after twenty years apart in a remote Colorado trailer. Their encounter unfolds as a two-character exploration of memory, regret, and enduring connection.
Part of Lil Poppet’s 2026 season, themed “Wild Americana: Folktales of the American Artist,” the production follows earlier programming including Red and precedes True West. Artistic Director Stephanie Stroud will star as Emma opposite Jeff Nichols as Ulysses.
Stroud said the play has been a long-standing interest since she previously understudied the role of Emma in a Chicago production. She described Annapurna as “a lovely piece about two people desperately trying to connect and mend,” noting its focus on communication and shared history.
Nichols, who is retiring from Westminster’s history department, will appear in the production as part of his final year at the university. He said the project marks a meaningful return to the stage after decades of involvement in campus theatre.
Director Bennett described the script as “red meat for actors,” emphasizing its focus on character interaction and emotional rhythm. He added that the play’s themes of reconciliation and confronting past grievances remain relevant.
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