A breathless tragicomedy comes to Hope Summer Repertory Theatre when Lyle Kessler's Orphans opens in Snow Auditorium on Friday, June 22 at 8 p.m.
A breathless tragicomedy comes to Hope Summer Repertory Theatre when Lyle Kessler's Orphans opens in Snow Auditorium on Friday, June 22 at 8 p.m.
This emotionally charged play revolves around two teenage orphan brothers and the criminal they unwittingly kidnap. Older brother Treat spends his day involved in small crime, while Philip stays at home, convinced by his older brother that the outside world is dangerous to him.
When Treat decides to hit it big with a kidnapping, the brothers instead find a father figure in Harold, whose presence impacts the brothers in how they view themselves and their relationship.
The intimate Snow Auditorium is the perfect stage for this story that explores the humor and pathos of human relationships.
Equity Guest Artist Mark Goetzinger makes his first appearance with HSRT as Harold. Greg Thompson and Andrew Towler portray Treat and Philip, respectively.
Hope faculty member and Theatre Department chair Daina Robins directs this difficult piece. Robins created a powerful performance a few years ago in Snow Auditorium with The Turn of the Screw. She has directed many plays for HSRT over the years, including Cinderella, Dancing at Lughnasa, and Twelve Angry Men.
After opening night, Orphans will also play on June 23, 25, 30, July 3, 6, 9, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 21, 24, 25, and 26. Buy tickets soon since the small Snow Auditorium typically sells out quickly. This tragicomedy is intended for mature audiences.
While at the box office be sure to reserve tickets for the other great HSRT productions, including L. Frank Baum's The Wizard of Oz, Neil Simon's Rumors, the popular Educating Rita, a rock n' roll version of Shakespeare's The Two Gentlemen of Verona, and the cabaret show at the Via Maria restaurant, He Loves, She Loves. In addition, the Children's Performance Troupe is presenting The New Kid and a recent adaptation of The Ugly Duckling
Tickets are available now, and all Orphans tickets are $14. The ticket office is located in the DeWitt Center, on the Hope College campus at the corner of 12th Street and Columbia Avenue. Prices range from $8-$24 for musicals, and $6 to $18 for plays. Season coupons are also available and offer several ways to save money for the whole season. Ticket office hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday; noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday; and one hour before all show times. Tickets may also be purchased by calling (616) 395-7890.