Press Release posted 4/26/12 – Susan wakes up one day in her English garden after a bump on the noggin and finds herself living a dual existence.
In one reality, she shares a loveless, sexless marriage with Gerald, the local vicar. They share their home with her sister-in-law, Muriel, an eternally grieving widow. Susan often finds herself short, sarcastic and bitter with both of them. Gerald and Susan haven’t spoken with their son Ricky in two years.
In her alternate reality, Susan has a doting husband, Andy, who is her ardent lover; a handsome, charming brother, Tony; and an adoring, devoted daughter Lucy, soon to be a bride. The one individual common to both existences is Bill, the local general practitioner.
If she could choose her family, which do you think she’d pick, the former or the latter? The answer is neither obvious nor uncomplicated.
This dark but often hilarious comedy with satiric undertones debuted in London in 1986. Written by one of Britain’s most prolific and commercially successful playwrights, Alan Ayckbourn (“Absent Friends,” “Absurd Person Singular,” dozens more), “Woman in Mind” is one of his most brilliant and challenging works. It was last seen in Los Angeles twenty years ago, when Helen Mirren starred in it at the Tiffany Theatre.
Sharon Sharth, a veteran of New York’s Circle Rep and Broadway, and a lifetime member of Actors Studio, portrays Susan. The cast also includes Angus McEwan, Anne Etue, Dan Wingard, David Hadinger, Nathan Hertz, Rees Pugh and Victoria Mayers.
Christian Lebano directs. Familiar to Sierra Madre audiences as the Stage Manager in “Our Town” and as Atticus Finch in “To Kill A Mockingbird,” he has directed shows in Chicago, Milwaukee and San Diego, as well as locally at the Zephyr Theater, FirstStage Theater, and Company Rep.
Special events connected with this engagement, including talkbacks and wine tastings, will be the subject of subsequent releases.
Associate producers: Brian Dolan, Lindsay Faye Wagner, Elizabeth Stoltz, Alan Golden. Set design: Matthew Hill. Costume design: Elizabeth Nankin. Lighting: Sammy Ross. Properties: Daniel Armas.
WHAT: “Woman in Mind.” A dark comedy.
WHO: Written by Alan Ayckbourn. Directed by Christian Lebano. Produced by Estelle Campbell. Presented by Sierra Madre Playhouse. Produced by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc.
WHERE: Sierra Madre Playhouse,87 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., SierraMadre,CA91024. Ample free parking behind theatre.
WHEN: May 25- July 7, 2012. Friday and Saturday at 8, Sunday at 2:30. Dark on May 27. The Gala Opening on Friday, May 25 is preceded by a Champagne reception and light buffet at 7:15 p.m.
ADMISSION: $25. Seniors (65+) and students (13-17), $22. Children 12 and under, $15.
RESERVATIONS: (626) 355-4318.
ONLINE TICKETING: www.womaninmind.com