Meet the Magrath sisters: the eldest is unmarried and lonely; the middle is an untamed, failed singer; and the youngest is out on bail after having shot her husband in the stomach. What awaits them? Find out more as their story, Crimes of the Heart, unfolds on stage at the Cornell Center for Theatre Arts (CTA) for two weeks, beginning Oct. 22. Tickets are $8; $6 for students and seniors, and are available at the box office in the Center for Theatre Arts, 430 College Ave. For ticket information, call 254-ARTS between 12:30 and 5:30 p.m. weekdays or one hour before performances.
The winner of the Pulitzer Prize and the New York Drama Critics Award, Crimes of the Heart has been a favorite of actors and audiences alike since its conception by author Beth Henley over 30 years ago.
"What I like about this play," says director Stephen Cole, associate professor of theatre, "is that it's about three women regaining their childhood past in order to gain their adult future. They overcome the repressive influences of their lives by returning to their roots."
Taking on the challenging roles of the Magrath sisters are three Cornell undergraduates. Playing the eldest and always reliable Lenny is sophomore Leigh Williams, a theatre arts and English major. She is joined by sophomore Cara Greene, a theatre arts and government major, as irrepressible Meg, and sophomore Tracy Shields, a theatre arts major, as flighty younger sister Babe.
The Crimes of the Heart production team spotlights two student designers, Chris Williams as scenic designer and Liza Marzolf as costume designer, as well as guest lighting designer Les Dickert. CTA mainstays Daniel Hall and Wendy Freeman return as sound designer and stage manager, respectively.
Crimes of the Heart opens Wednesday, Oct. 22 at 8 p.m. in the CTA's Class of '56 Flexible Theatre. Evening performances continue at 8 p.m., Thursday through Sunday, Oct. 23 to 26 and Oct. 29 to Nov. 1. Matinees are at 2 p.m. Oct. 26 and Nov. 2. There will be a "talk back" session for the audience and company members following the performance Oct. 30.
Visit the department's Web site http://www.arts.cornell.edu/theatrearts.