Grace and Glorie
by Tom Zieglar
September 18 - October 18, 2009
It’s all ‘Grace and Glorie’ at Stage 3 Theatre
Somewhere, between our beginning and our end , between our sunrise and our sunset, if we’re very lucky, we meet a person that changes everything for us.
“Grace and Glorie”, opening at Stage 3 Theatre, is a warm comedy and poignant drama about two very different women who are thrown together by pure chance at perhaps the most critical times of their lives and, by some miracle, find that their differences are exactly what each one needs.
A tour de force for two actresses, The New York Times called Tom Zieglar’s play “A sentimental crowd pleaser… audience winning all the way.” “A lot of good humor” continued The New York Post, “ (‘Grace and Glorie’) offers the opportunity for good, honest, grandstanding acting.”
Grace, played by Sharon Perras, is a feisty, cantankerous, savvy Blue Ridge Mountain woman. She is ninety years old and has checked herself out of the hospital so that when she passes away, it can be in her own house, in her own bed and in her own way. The last thing in the world she needs or wants is a do-gooder Harvard MBA, recently transplanted from New York, showing up at her door to ease her crossing into the next life. But that is exactly what she gets, in the form of Gloria (Grace misunderstands her name), portrayed by Maryann Curmi.
Stage 3 Artistic Director Don Bilotti is excited about producing this little-known work. “This play has become a ‘star vehicle’ in certain quarters and with good reason. It takes an incredible amount of dramatic muscle for two people to pull it off. At first, we’re too busy laughing to notice the menacing rolling thunder of the gathering dramatic storm. When that storm finally unleashes its fury it’s exciting to find out who rescues who. Against all odds the two discover they need each other more than they could have ever imagined. It’s powerful theater that takes skill, talent and experience to deliver.”
“Grace and Glorie” is directed by Lloyd Battista who last year helmed Stage 3’s powerful production of “Doubt”. Battista is a noted Broadway, Off-Broadway actor, with many film and television appearances to his credit, having worked alongside many of the giants of those genres. He brings considerable theatrical firepower to the production. “One of the things that fascinates me about the play”, he says, “is that it is truly about changing the direction of one’s life.” “Falling off the horse on the way to Damascus” is the way he puts it. “I love the warmth and humanity and passion of these characters.”
Sharon Perras (Grace) is making her first appearance after relocating to the Mother Lode. Perras, who has taken a seven year hiatus from the stage is excited to be back. She has a long theatrical history in the Bay Area, starring in “The Boyfriend”, “Anything Goes”, “Arsenic and Old Lace” “Come Blow Your Horn” to name a few. In fact, she garnered a Best Actress Award for her performance in a previous production of “Grace and Glorie”. When asked how she feels about reprising the role she responded “I’m finding out so much more about the character. Almost as if the first time was a warmup. There is so much greater insight and understanding the second time around. And of course I love working with Lloyd and Maryann.”
Maryann Curmi (Gloria) has a vast list of credits at Stage 3 ranging from a sexy, goofy mayfly in “Mere Mortals” to the terrifying Sister Aloysius in “Doubt”. She was most recently seen in “Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure” as Irene Adler, the woman who outsmarted Holmes himself. “I love tackling the role of Gloria”, she says, a character unlike any other I have attempted. Lloyd is perfectly cast as the director of the play. His eye for detail is what will make “Grace and Glorie” really shine.”
Set design will be by Ron Cotnam, lighting by Matt Leamy and costumes by Diana Newington. Bev Woodland stage manages.
This production is made possible in part by Associate Producer, Quail Hollow.
“Grace and Glorie” ” will run at Stage 3, 208 S. Green St., downtown Sonora, from September 18 through October 18. The show will run Thursday through Sunday. Curtain times are 7 pm on Thursday and Friday, 8 pm on Saturday and 2 pm on Sunday. Ticket prices are $18 Thursday, $20 Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Senior Sundays are $18. Students always $12. Call 209 536 1778 or visit www.stage3.org for reservations and information.
Grace and Glorie 2009
Reviews
Brilliant acting brings ‘Grace’ to life at Stage 3.
Sharon Perras is brilliant as the stoic and feisty Grace.
Maryann Curmi brings her considerable acting skills to the challenging role of Gloria Whitmore.
Lloyd Battista, who directed last year’s excellent production of “Doubt,” returns to Stage 3 to direct this performance. The subject matter is handled with warmth and wit, and there is a wonderful rapport between the actresses.
Actors give ‘Grace’ glory
A show with just two performers carrying a story about a woman who is dealing with life’s final curtain; how can happiness and joy come from such a play?
Well, with a nearly bulletproof script by Tom Zeiglar, director Lloyd Battista and two incredibly strong women do just that with the enchanting “Grace and Glorie,” playing at Stage 3 Theatre in Sonora.
Sharon Perras is downright riveting as Grace.
Curmi – an acting force to be reckoned with anywhere in the Mother Lode – is equally incredible.
Do not miss this show.
Stage 3’s Grace and Glorie is Captivating
It isn’t simple and always successful to have a play with only two actors. Each must carry their own weight with no other actors to buffer the overall results. Two very believable and talented actors have shown how it can be done...
Grace and Glorie takes its audience on the realistic journey of issues we all face, or will face in our lifetime. Skillfully integrated in this play as in real life, we see the times of despair, the good times with laughter and joy, and the quiet reflective times within us as we search for the meaning of life’s tragedies. The audience, moved by the experience gave the play and its cast a standing ovation at the conclusion.
Review Score: 4 out of 4 stars
-
Playwright
-
Tom Zieglar
-
Cast Members
-
Sharon Perras
— Grace Stiles
Maryann Curmi
— Gloria Whitmore
-
Crew Members
-
Bev Woodland
— Stage Manager
Matthew Leamy
— Lighting & Sound Technician
-
Director
-
Lloyd Battista
-
Designers
-
Diana Newington
— Costume Design
Ron Cotnam
— Set Design
Lillian McLeod
— Properties
Matthew Leamy
— Lighting Design
Lloyd Battista
— Sound Design
Don Bilotti
— Sound Design
-
Associate Producer
-
Quail Hollow
-
Others
-
Ron Cotnam
— Set Construction & Painting
Denny Anderson
— Set Construction & Painting
Malcolm Bull
— Set Construction & Painting
Kimberly Teter-Cope
— Set Construction & Painting