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Picketwire Players Present The Wisdom of Eve - A 1950's Broadway Romp
Description: Join the Picketwire Players for "The Wisdom of Eve" - Thursday, May 15th and runs through Saturday, May 17th. All performances begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Picketwire Center for Performing and Visual Arts. Tickets are $18 and can be purchased at the Box Office (which is open through the week from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.)
Watch the Interview:
The "Wisdom of Eve" - Picketwire Players Actress Interview - Show Dates: May 15-17
Picketwire Players Present “The Wisdom of Eve” ~ Opening This Week
Broadway glamour comes to the Picketwire stage this weekend with their spring production of “The Wisdom of Eve." Mary Orr adapted her original novel into this stage play that reveals an “inside” story of the life in New York’s theatre world.
The story is told through the three women who are affected most by each other’s actions: Eve Harrington, Margo Crane, and Karen Roberts. The three characters are played to perfection by local actresses: Angelica Leija, Elizabeth Leonard, and Katie Merewether (respectively).
When we first meet Eve Harrington she is standing in the rain by the stage door of the theatre in which the renowned Margo Crane is starring in her latest long-run hit. Waiting for a glimpse of her professed idol she accosts Karen Roberts, Margo's good friend and the wife of the playwright, Lloyd Roberts, and persuade Karen to get her an invitation to meet the great actress herself. The meeting leads to unexpected opportunity as Margo, struck with Eve's "sincerity," takes her on as a personal secretary.
Of course, interaction with their husbands Lloyd Roberts (the playwright) and Clement Howell (the director/producer) complicates the story quickly. Jeffrey Reed brings old world charm and sophistication to the role of Lloyd. Demian Ryder plays Clement Howell with understated confidence and tries to keep the off stage drama to a minimum – which is practically impossible with all these high-strung characters.
Rounding out the show – and further complicating the action – are Tally Ho Thompson (a radio announcer and columnist), Harvey (the stage manager with a wandering eye), Bert Hinkle (the theatrical agent), and Leila (Margo’s longtime dresser and house maid). All the characters are played with great fun by Matthew Snyder (Tally Ho), Cody Rogers (Harvey), Adam Clark (Bert), and Crystal Valerio (Leila). This is Ms. Valerio’s first time onstage, yet she shows great comedic acting ability.
Another young actress who gets bumped from a part because of Eve’s manipulations is Vera Franklin. Vera is played by veteran actress Hannah Smith. There are plenty of extras who attend one of Margo’s famed New York penthouse parties. There is even a musical combo who entertain at the party: Jansen Ediger, Jake Pruyn and Sam Leonard. Songstress of the combo is Katie Pruyn. Katie’s voice alone is worth the price of admission. John Lockhart, Jonathan Snyder, and Ahzahla and Alyssa Valerio are the other party guests.
As the play ends, everyone’s life has been turned upside down, but they venture on as Lloyd proclaims “Stars never die.” “The Wisdom of Eve” is great fun with a peek back into 1950s Broadway. The costumes, alone, are worth taking a glimpse. Longtime Picketwire costumers Sharon Kolomitz and Malle Schindler understood 1950’s fashion and how to dress characters with strong egos. Technical responsibility is once again taken on by Zach Zamora who designed the lighting and runs lights, sound, and sound effects. Heather Pidcock-Reed stepped in as Stage Manager – to everyone’s delight. Susie Sarlo directs the play with Assistant Director Elaine McIntyre.
“The Wisdom of Eve” opens Thursday, May 15th and runs through Saturday, May 17th. All performances begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Picketwire Center for Performing and Visual Arts located at 802 San Juan Avenue in La Junta, Colorado. During intermission you can even take a trip to the famed New York theatre hang out: Sardi’s.
Tickets are $18 and can be purchased at the Box Office (which is open through the week from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.) or through their website: picketwireplayers.org/tickets.
