Wednesday, April 12, 2006
USI Theatre's frontier musical "Quilters" has roots in Evansville
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The Tony Award-nominated musical “Quilters” is on stage at USI Theatre. Written by Evansville native Molly Newman and Barbara Damashek, the show reflects on the joys and challenges faced by the women who helped settle the American frontier and features a cast of 10 women. “Quilters” premiered on Broadway in 1984. The American Theatre Wing nominated it for six Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Set in the mid-1800s and based in part on the oral histories recorded in the book, The Quilters: Women and Domestic Art, “Quilters” tells the story of Sarah and her six daughters, who face the adversities of life on the American frontier with great courage. As Sarah works on blocks for a legacy quilt that will reflect her family’s history, her daughters help tell the family’s stories through song and dance. The New York Post called “Quilters” “a show pieced together with love and stitched with pride…a thing of beauty, comfort and joy.” According to Newsweek magazine, it is “a tender and moving theatre work, a human patchwork rippling in the breeze of memory.” As previously announced, “Quilters” replaces “Seussical the Musical” as the final production of USI Theatre’s 2005-06 season. The decision was made in the fall, and according to Elliot Wasserman, director of theatre, it reflects the extraordinary amount of female talent in the department this year. John Berst, instructor in theatre, said, “I’m excited to direct ‘Quilters.’ It’s been on my list of choices for a long time.” The cast of “Quilters” includes USI senior Jeannine Gamble as Sarah, the matriarch of the family, and Kensington Blaylock, Katelyn Farmer, Ashley Frary, Amanda Grubb, Monica Muller, Camille Ruckriegel, Paige Scott, Lauren Tait, and Cara Wilson as her daughters and in other ensemble roles. The design team for “Quilters” includes faculty members Doug Hubbell as scenic designer, Shan Jensen as costume designer, Danny Truxaw as lighting designer, and USI student Robert Dagit as sound designer. “Quilters" runs April 19 – 29 at USI Theatre, 3001 Igleheart Avenue in Evansville. Performance times are Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., with one Tuesday performance on April 25 at 7 p.m., and one Sunday matinee on April 23 at 2 p.m. Tickets prices are $11 for adults, $9 for students and seniors 60 and over, and $5 for USI students. Tickets are on sale now and may be purchased by calling 812/422-3970 or online. Tickets may also be purchased at the door; the box office will open one hour before each performance. |
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