Hendersonville Community Theatre presents Margaret Edson’s Pulitzer prize-winning play Wit, an amusing and enlightening piece about human relations, dignity, and compassion in the light of one woman’s imminent death.
Dr. Vivian Bearing, a fifty-year-old English Literature professor, has been diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She agrees to undergo an aggressive course of chemotherapy recommended by her oncologist, Dr. Kelekian, and is under the care of Dr. Posner and a team of technicians. Bearing endures her days alone except for a visit from her graduate school professor, E.M. Ashford, and a brief acknowledgment of the kindness of her hospital nurse, Suzie Monahan. In the end, Vivian comes to reassess her life and her work in a way that is cathartic for her and also for the audience.
Playing the leading role of Vivian Bearing, Ph.D, is well-known local actress, Kathy O’Connor. In the supporting role of Dr. Kelekian and Vivian’s Father is David Mycoff, most often seen in Montford Park Shakespeare productions. Also in supporting roles are Coy Theobalt and Lora Ristau playing Dr. Jason Posner, M.D. and Susie Monahan, R.N., B.S.N. Coy and Lora have both been seen in Asheville Community Theatre productions as well as Coy’s portrayal of the butler in HCT’s The Chalk Garden. This will be Lora’s first appearance in an HCT production. Jorja Ursin, a wonderful actress in both HCT and ACT productions, will play the role of E.M. Ashford, D. Phil. Rounding out the supporting roles are Alex Guazzo, Jenny Lee, Charlene Lightfoot Spinks and Bob Reece playing multiple roles of Lab Technicians, College Students and Residents.
Wit was the winner of the 1999 Pulitzer Prize, Drama Desk and New York Drama Critics Circle, Outer Critics, Obie, and Lucille Lortel awards. The HCT production is directed by Jim Walker & Carole Saiche as Stage Manager.
Performances of Wit are at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and at 2:00 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets prices are $22 for adults, $18 for students (18-25), and $15 for youth(17 and under). HCT is located in downtown Hendersonville at 229 South Washington Street. For more information, call the HCT Box Office at 828-692-1082 or visit HendersonvilleTheatre.org.
Hendersonville Community Theatre is a registered 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization. Fully 100% of ticket sales and all grants and contributions are dedicated exclusively for the purposes intended – to offer quality theatrical productions within the community. HCT is a volunteer supported organization with no paid staff or performers.