The Hope Summer Repertory Theatre (HSRT) will open the contemporary drama, "Memory House," at 8 p.m. on Friday, June 30 in Snow Auditorium.
An unfinished college essay is the starting point for a mother and daughter who begin to grapple with the past in order to face the future. While the mother bakes a pie, the daughter begins to question issues revolving around her parent's divorce, her own adoption from Russia, and the fear and excitement of leaving home.
"The New York Times" calls the play "A captivating emotional ballet that is also a moving demonstration of the strenuous work that goes into good mothering."
The play features Jahnna Beecham as the mother, and Melissa Carlile as the daughter. Carlile is spending her first summer with HSRT after graduating in theatre from PennStateUniversity, where she performed in a range of works.
Beecham returns to HSRT where she has directed and written before. She has acted at numerous regional theatres including the Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and Seattle Repertory Theatre. Along with her husband, Malcolm Hillgartner, she wrote the HSRT hit, "Chaps." Their newest musical, "They Came From Way Out," is scheduled for several theatres in 2007. The couple has also collaborated on over 110 children's books.
Obie-award winning director Tom Bullard returns to HSRT for his fifteenth season to direct this moving and engaging production. Adding to his long list of prestigious work, Bullard recently directed the world premiere of Wynton Marsalis' "Suite for Human Nature," with libretto by Diane Charlotte Lampert.
Snow Auditorium is HSRT's home for contemporary, cutting edge theatre. Located in the Nykerk Hall of Music on the HopeCollege campus, the studio holds just over 100 people and provides an intimate stage experience.
In addition to the June 30 opening, "Memory House" will run on July 1, 8, 11, 12, 14, 17, 21, 22, 25, 27, August 1 and 3.
While at the ticket office, be sure to reserve tickets for the other great HSRT shows, including the musicals "Oliver!" and "Dames at Sea," the comedy "Shakespeare in Hollywood," and Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream." The popular cabaret show moves to Till Midnight Restaurant this year, and is the hilarious "Shakespeare Revue." The Children's Performance Troupe is presenting "Miss Nelson is Missing" and "The Rude Mechanicals."
The ticket office is located in the DeWitt Center, on the HopeCollege campus, at the corner of 12th Street and Columbia Avenue in Holland. Prices range from $8-$26 for musicals, and $8-$18 for plays. Season coupons, ranging from $48-$85 are also available. Ticket office hours are 10 a.m-5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays, and one hour before all showtimes. Tickets may also be purchased by calling 616-395-7890. For more information visit www.hope.edu/hsrt.