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A ‘Luminous’ “Man for all Seasons” bows at Stage 3
The Reviews are in at Stage 3 Theatre, in Sonora
"Audiences are in for a tour de force when they see Bilotti in his tense, yet thoroughly touching portrayal of Sir Thomas More. We haven't seen a performance like this onstage from a man in these parts for ages."
- Calaveras Enterprise"It's an exceptional play, a provocative exploration of one mans refusal to veer from his spiritual and intellectual conviction........one definitely worth seeing."
- Union Democrat"Riviting, emotional theatre. Bilotti gives the region's best dramatic performance of the year."
- Modesto BeeWhen Stage 3 Theatre Company opens Robert Bolt’s stage version of “A Man for all Seasons” on Fri., Sept 16, it will be sinking its considerable dramatic teeth into one of the meatiest and mightiest dramas written in the last half-century.
Winner of multiple Tony Awards including Best Play, Best Actor, Best Director and Best Author, the play has been called “ageless and inspiring” and “a masterpiece” by the New York Journal American. The New York Times deemed it “Luminous” and the Herald Tribune added “It makes the human mind shine. The glare is dazzling. the experience exhilarating”.
Woven from the fabric of historical fact, “A Man for all Seasons” is a strikingly contemporary tale that could be taking place today in the corridors of power and on our television screens. It is a drama of conscience, the true story of one man who will not be shaken from his beliefs.
Sir Thomas More was chancellor of England in turbulent times. Young King Henry the Eighth was desperate to produce an heir and secure the future of England. So desperate, that he was willing to rip his country from its religious moorings and start a new church with himself as the Supreme Head. Only one person, Thomas More, stood in his way.
Artistic Director Don Bilotti returns to the stage to play More, a role he hadn’t considered for himself at first. “I wasn’t looking for a vehicle for myself” he says, “ I chose the play because of its dramatic thunder, its soaring beauty and its urgent moral lessons. Playing Thomas More has turned out to be one of the highlights of my theatrical life. He’s the person we all wish we could be. He represents the best that is within all of us. Making a difference is what attracted me to theatre in the first place, and that’s also why this play is perfect for Stage 3. It’s a real risk for us but we intend to surprise the audience in the way that we pull it off.”
Originally intended to be played in modern dress to emphasize the timeliness of the story, Stage 3 has broadened the scope to encompass the sweep of history. This is a story that could just as easily happen tomorrow as yesterday.
Regional favorite, Maryann Curmi helms the production. She says “It’s a powerful story, pertinent for OUR times...Heroes...it's time for the youth of today to find heroes, there aren't many Thomas Mores out there. Our aim is to put up a thrilling production that will stay in the mind of our audiences for a good, long time. ”
In addition to Bilotti, Curmi has assembled a stellar group of artists to bring the story to life. Chuck Heinrichs portrays a variety of roles as the comically corruptible Common Man. Tom Silvers is More’s arch enemy, Thomas Cromwell, Thomas Taylor is the ambitious Richard Rich, Doug Scott is the solid Duke of Norfolk, Sheila Gradison and Lara Ford are More’s strong willed wife and daughter and Logan Morgan his brash son-in-law, Davey Wagner is the dashing and troubled Henry and Stephen Daly as the manipulative Cardinal Wolsey. Rounding out the cast are Charles Keen, Harry Tomlinson and Bev Woodland.
Set design will be by Denny Anderson, lighting design by Matthew Leamy and costumes by Dena Mathias. Ron Cotnam and Murals by Molli will provide scenic design.
"A Man for all Seasons" will run at Stage 3, 208 S. Green St., downtown Sonora, from Sept.16 through Oct.16. Performances are on an expanding schedule. First week: Fri. and Sat., Sept 16 and 17. Second week: Fri. and Sat. Sept.23 and 24. Beginning Sept.29, the show will run Thursday through Sunday. Curtain times are 7 pm, Thursday, 8 pm Friday and Saturday and 2 pm Sunday. Ticket prices are $12 Thursday, $15 Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Senior Sundays are $12. Students always $10. Call 209 536 1778 for reservations and information. Visit www.stage3.org.
For reservations or information, please call 209-536-1778, or e-mail info@stage3.org.
