Theatre Department News

MC to stage "August: Osage County"

Monmouth College’s Crimson Masque will present the dark comedy “August: Osage County” April 18 – 21.

Performances in the college’s Wells Theater will be April 18 – 20 at 7:30 p.m. and April 21 at 2 p.m.

Written by Tracy Letts, the 2008 Pulitzer Prize-winning drama is the story of the Weston family of Oklahoma. With a pill-popping mother (Cassie Burton), a vanished father (Patrick Le Blanc) and three unique sisters (Courtney Jonsson, Marisa Franks and Morgan Hubbard), the Westons aren’t your average bunch. With the disappearance of their father, the group gathers at the family home, where secrets of the past and present are discovered. With the appearance of several other mischievous characters, it truly becomes a full house, taking the audience into the sometimes sad, sometimes hilarious, dark lives of a dysfunctional American family.

Helping to add to the madness of the Weston home are Crimson Masque performers Marcus Bailey, Mike Bennett, Kelsi Ford, Chase Mowery, Anthony Occhipinti, Jason Roepke, Brittany Shumaker and Natalie Stortoni.

Directing the production is senior theatre major Mary Bohlander who is supported by a production team made up entirely of MC students, overseen by theatre professors Bill Wallace and Doug Rankin. Serving as the stage manager is Rachel Whitlock, assisted by GeGe Carr. Set design is headed by Michael Carioto, with Nicholas Sargis designing lights and Nicholas Dadds designing sound. Rachael Laing is in charge of properties design, while Merissa Lewiston is the costume designer. Hubbard and Jonsson have dual responsibilities, not only acting but also designing hair and makeup and serving as dramaturge, respectively.

On opening night, there will be pre-show dinner and discussion about the play. At 4:30 p.m, MC faculty member Kristin Larson will discuss the various psychological issues driving the characters, and attendees are invited to stay for a dinner with the cast and crew, which costs $8 (MC students can attend the dinner via a “meal exchange). To make meal reservations, contact Wallace at billw@monmouthcollege.edu or 309-457-2374.

Tickets are $6 for adults; $5 for other students and senior citizens; and $4 for MC students, faculty and staff. Seats may be reserved online at http://department.monm.edu/theatre/tickets.htm, or by phone to Wallace at the above number.

Due to subject matter, August: Osage County may not be suitable for viewers under the age of 13.