Pistarckle Theater presents Mother Hicks

Mother Hicks, written by Suzan Zeder, opens at the Pistarckle Theater on February 29 at 7 p.m. The night will begin with a champagne reception hosted by H. Stern at 6:30 p.m.

Mother Hicks, directed by Bethany Burgess-Smith, is set in a small, southern Illinois town that struggles in the time of the Great Depression. Mother Hicks (Nancy Nagrant), a peculiar woman who lives alone at the top of Dug Hill is blamed by the townspeople for cursing their town. They say she’s a witch, but two other town outcasts (Tuc, a young deaf man – Heath Corriette – and an orphan known only as Girl – Emma Merritt) can show the people who she really is. Zeder, one of the nation’s leading playwrights for family audiences, questions the feelings of isolation, prejudice and being misjudged in this story. Only when these three outcasts brought together through the art of sign language, can show the townspeople the meaning of truth and acceptance.

Director Burgess-Smith, said “I am consistently drawn to pieces that give us the opportunity to experience something new in our lives, re-examine something old in our lives, and provide inspiration toward a path for action.” She said the cast and crew began the journey with a beautifully crafted story and a journey of communication in the fall, learning Corriette & Kisias George’s real-life stories about growing up deaf in the islands.

All cast members attended sign language classes with sign master Sarah Hancock. Though the play is spoken, signing is part of the story’s message. Heath Corriette’s character, Tuc, feels that through his involvement in Mother Hicks he has come to know many fine people that have begun to learn American Sign Language. He looks forward to seeing these cast members pursue friendships and careers with the deaf community.

This is Nagrant’s Pistarckle Theater debut, though not her first time in the role of Mother Hicks. She played Mother Hicks for the first time in 1996 at Western Michigan University. She said that this time around it’s a bit different due to the role of Tuc. “Heath has been amazing to work with,” said Nancy, “his expression and vibrancy on stage brings out the energy in all the other actors.”

In New York, Nagrant has kept busy performing for the past 9 years in numerous productions, and independent live action and animated films. Nancy is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association. (www.nancynagrant.com)

The cast also stars Zoe Banfield, Shamilia Goomansingh, Jaia Hendrickson, Emmanuel T. Horsford, Adam Kloper, Ariane Ladd, Oliver Lundin, Nathan Meersman, Haley Porter, Samantha Rosebury, Ian Simpson, Bill Thompson, Talisse Thompson, S. Cory Willis, Skye Van Rensselaer. Artist Bill Thompson also did all the set painting.

Pistarckle Theater will run a preview night on Feb. 28 at 7 p.m. with pay-as-you-can and continue with shows on March 1, 6, 7, 8, 14, 15 at 7 p.m. and March 15 at 2 p.m. Ticket prices are $20 in advance and $23 day of for adults, $10 students. Group rates are available to 8 or more for the price of $14 adults/$7 students.

Every Friday performance, Pistarckle Theater will be donating half the money made in the raffle to send deaf students on island to a deaf summer camp in the states. Fridays will also feature talk-backs after the show with Kisias George, a hearing impaired woman on island.

Seating is limited, so please call and make your reservation at 775-7877. Visit us online at www.pistarckletheater.vi.