
Lillian Hellman’s under-produced masterpiece offers a beautiful but tragic look into the lives of two teachers in the 1930s. The play deals with issues such as bullying, gossip, and lying. It is a very cathartic piece that also provides some wonderful opportunities for local youth actors to showcase their abilities.
“It speaks to issues that are still very relevant today in 2017,” says Rachel Kuhnle, who plays one of the two teachers devastated by a lie started by a student at their school. “There is a real need to share and open ourselves up and this play shows the dangers of avoiding that.”
The show also features several youth ‘veterans’ of the Festival Stage, including Alaina Driscoll, Jenna Driscoll, Sidrah Edwards, Ellie Eklof, Carl Hallberg, Lucy Herman, Frankie Miller, Sienna Shoop, and Brecken Styles.
The show, which deals with some difficult themes such as lying and bullying, will be a challenge, especially for Frankie Miller and Lucy Herman who play two of the girls involved in starting a rumor which drastically changes the lives of the teachers at their school.
But Miller and Herman, both of whom attend the St. Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists, feel up to challenge. Herman says, “I like exploring my characters and seeing how they are different from characters I have played before.”
Tickets are $26 for adults, $15 for youth 5-18, and patrons are encouraged to reserve ahead of time as the run is limited to only 8 performances. Tickets can be purchased at FestivalTheatre.org, by emailing festivaltheatreboxoffice@gmail.com or by calling the box office at 715-483-3387.