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A Powerful, touching ‘Heart’ opens at Stage 3
“Sometimes a piece of work just grabs you and won’t let go.”, says Stage 3 Artistic Director Don Bilotti. “‘My Heart and My Flesh’ is one of those potent, poignant, remarkable plays. I was captured. I was captivated.”
True to its mission of presenting fresh, exciting new work to its audience, Stage 3 Theatre Company will open the West Coast Premiere of Janet Kenney’s charming and stunning “My Heart and My Flesh” on Friday, April 13th.
“At its core, ‘My Heart’ is a love story.”, Bilotti continues. “Like all the best love stories, it begins with the premise that this love does not have a chance. That it is impossible. But the more unlikely it seems, the more we cheer for it to happen. There is something inside of all of us that needs to believe true love will triumph over insurmountable odds. We are all fools for love.”
Filled with comedy, romance and innocence, this love story is different. It’s also about the love a mother has for her child.
What would you do if, one day, mentally challenged Lamar showed up at your door with his hammock, his toaster and his bean bag chair and declared his love and his intention to marry Emily, your mentally challenged daughter? You watch as their relationship blossoms and they plan a family and a life together. You know that they are adult children that have no idea of the challenges they face. To what lengths would you go to protect your young one? And when must you let go?
Director Maryann Curmi has done her homework and has definite ideas about the portrayal of the characters. She and her cast met with WATCH Resources, an organization that helps adults with developmental disabilities. "I wanted all of us to be educated," Curmi said. "We met with learning-disabled adults who had overcome so many obstacles. I wanted to not fall back on stereotypes. ... I wanted it to be real, and certainly nonoffensive."
“I’m excited to be working on this.” says Curmi. “It’s a paradox, what real theater should be - a tug of war with tension where someone must win and someone must lose.”
Stage 3 feels its audience might have a lot to discuss after seeing “My Heart and My Flesh” so all Thursday performances will have audience talkbacks after the show with the actors and director.
Playwright Janet Kenney holds a B.A. in Theatre Arts from the University of Massachusetts and an M.A. in Playwriting from Boston University. In the past few weeks Kenney has enjoyed 2 world premieres, “Theresa at Home” at Boston Playwright’s Theater and "More Than What" at Centastage at Boston Center for the Arts. Her works have been honored at many East Coast new play festivals. In 2001, “My Heart and My Flesh” was a finalist in the prestigious O’Neill Playwriting Conference and in 2005 it was nominated for an Elliot Norton award. Her one-act, The Devil on this Earth” received a Panelists’ Choice Award at the 1999 Edward Albee Theatre Conference in Valdez, Alaska.
Director Maryann Curmi is well known to theatergoers throughout the region. As an actress, she has appeared in almost two dozen shows at Stage 3 as well as having a lengthy list of credits with Columbia Actors Repertory and Sierra Repertory Theater. As a director, she has helmed such productions as “A Man For all Seasons”, “Billy Bishop Goes to War” and “A Show of Her Own”.
“The play needs an outstanding cast and our cast is, in a word, brilliant.” says Curmi.
David Braga was last seen at Stage 3 playing the title role in “The Elephant Man”. Braga has become one of the most sought-after actors in the region. As Lamar, he brings both his tremendous sense of comedy and his considerable dramatic talents to bear. Stage 3 audiences will also remember his winning performance as the comic, befuddled pizza parlor proprietor in “The Poetry of Pizza”.
Lillian McLeod returns to Stage 3 to take the complex role of daughter Emily. She has been delighting audiences not only as an actress, appearing at all the major theatrical venues in our area, but also as a very talented singer. McLeod has performed and recorded with many of the most talented musicians in our region. She currently fronts both Coop de Lill and The High and the Mighty.
Susan Micheal brings a lifetime of experience to the difficult role of mother Dottie. Having appeared extensively in theatres across the state, she must to tread the fine line between protective parent and villain. Micheal is an actress with the skill and depth to walk that line.
Set design will be by Ron Cotnam, lights by Tommy Johnson and costumes by Diana Newington.
This production is made possible in part by Quail Hollow.
“My Heart and My Flesh” will run at Stage 3, 208 S. Green St., downtown Sonora, from April 13 through May 13. Performances run Thursday through Sunday with no performance on Sunday, May 15. 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.
