Free Outdoor Drama LEPERS This Weekend in Carolina Wren Park Pavilion

The Market Theatre Company and the City of Anderson present a free outdoor production of the play Lepers in the beautiful, open-air Carolina Wren Park Pavilion. Lepers is written by Robert G.

Barone and directed by Anderson actress JEssie Davis, who has made several notable appearances

in Anderson's Shakespeare in the Park and on The Market Theatre's stage. The cast features sisters Katherine, Caroline and Daisy Bates, who are featured prominently in stunning promotional photography which is telling of the play's dynamic style and tone (photo credit: Casey Bates).

Rounding out the cast are Sara Orr (off of recent appearances at Project Challenge Playhouse and Electric City Playhouse), along with Anderson University theatre student Megan Knight.

Lepers tells the story of a small group of women living on the fringes of society, wrapped in

bandages and loneliness, dealing with denial and acceptance of being the unwanted. They are the embodiment of all those who are alienated: the homeless, the poor, the diseased, the unpopular.

Davis uniquely describes this production as "Lord of the Flies meets The Glass Menagerie meets a nonexistent Mary-Kate and Ashley movie. It's appropriate for families, but it isn't lighthearted."

Davis has incorporated indie/alt-rock movement pieces and an a cappella number of a familiar 90s tune. Before the show, the tone is set in the outdoor concrete structure with songs by Talking Heads, Local Natives, and Foals. Local artisan Emily SIzemore of Nesting Doll Pottery has even loaned some of her work to be used as props.

Lepers will be performed at 7:30pm on Friday April 21, Saturday April 22, and Sunday April 23. The performance lasts approximately one hour. Seating is limited in the pavilion and guests will be seated on a first come first served basis. Admission is free. The Carolina Wren Park Pavilion is located on Whitner St. in the former Belk building next to Carolina Wren Park.

This marks the second production of The Market Theatre's new Fringe Series, which aims to bring imaginative and unique tales to the Anderson theatre scene. The Fringe Series offers unique opportunities for young theatre artists to explore ideas, sharpen their skills, and cultivate valuable experience. The Market Theatre Company is now in its second season, offering a full season of theatrical productions, plus concerts, workshops, classes, improv comedy nights, and more. The next mainstage production, Legally Blonde the Musical, runs May 19-June 4. All tickets are $10 online or at the door.