News
An Inspiring Comedy about Mothers and Daughters … and everything in between
February 11, 2008
The Public Theatre presents the Maine premiere of the acclaimed Broadway comedy Well, by Lisa Kron, March 7-16th. Goofy enough to make your sides ache, and intelligent enough to rearrange your understanding of the world, this inspirational comedy was named one of the top ten recent plays on Broadway.
What is that thing about being around your parents that makes you act like a 13 year old? Poor Lisa. All she wants to do is put on a nice, orderly little play about her family, growing up, and how she got cured of her allergies. But her mother - who's watching the play in a housedress from her on-stage living room - keeps interrupting, offering snacks to the audience, and telling her own version of Lisa's carefully constructed story. Add to this, a group of actors hired to perform Lisa's story, who decide they like mom’s version better, and a hilarious, mind-bending comedic coup d'état ensues as Lisa loses control of her autobiography.
"I love this play's ability to make you laugh and think at the same time", says director Janet Mitchko. "We watch a seemingly 'together' woman pushed out of her comfort zone by things she can't control – one of those things being her mother. I believe everyone who has a mother will relate to Lisa's entertaining dilemma. But buried under this humor, is a very profound message about how real people and events never fit comfortably into the boxes we want to put them in. Life is messy, and embracing the mess - both the good and things we are not comfortable with is the real goal." The New York Times called Well, "a deeply affecting play that has a warmth and accessibility that makes you want to recommend it to everyone."
Playing the role of Lisa, our heroine, is New York based actress Sara Schabach. The role of her irascible mother will be played by Mary Baird. TPT audiences may remember Mary from her delightful comic turn several years ago as Madame Arcati in Blithe Spirit. Mary has spent her illustrious career acting on and Off-Broadway, and well as performing in regional theatres throughout California. Playing the "actors" in Lisa's story will be Dale Place, Cherita Armstrong, John Hall and Denise Poirer. Playing an assortment of wacky characters from Lisa’s life, this comic foursome contains TPT veterans Dale Place (Lend me a Tenor, Miss Witherspoon, Scrooge), Cherita Armstrong (The Old Settler) and Denise Poirer (Fuddy Meers, Marvin's Room), as well as TPT newcomer John Hall. The set will be designed by Jennifer Madigan, costumes by Christine McDowell and lighting by Jaime Grant.
Well will be performed at The Public Theatre, Lewiston/Auburn's Professional Theatre, March 7, 8, 9, 13, 14, 15, 16. Performance times are Thurs at 7pm, Fri and Sat at 8pm and Sun at 2pm. Adults $18, Sr/Stu $16, Group Rate (10+) $14. For tickets call The Public Theatre Box Office at 782-3200.
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