"I call bulls@#t" —Jon Stewart
In Northern California, a divorced mother and her son face down fires, tremors, bears (Oh my!), and a self-serving ex-husband, as they prepare to leave their home for good. An American Association of Community Theatres NewPlayFest world premiere, EATING BLACKBERRIES plays in the Jeffers Theatre at HCT from April 12th through April 20th.
Returning to the Jeffers stage as "the Paul you want to hate" is the Paul you know and (maybe...?) like: Paul Sapp.
Coming up on six years as a Hickory resident, Sapp can be often be found working front-of-house at HCT and Hickory Ballet & Performing Arts. On Sundays and holidays he can also be found delivering packages for the US Postal Service. (Folks, dog food and kitty litter is heavy. I'm just saying.) When not working or creating, Sapp is busy supporting his children's budding soccer and performing arts passions. He is also a field organizer for the "Kay Award for Katie Stone" campaign. (Hint, hint.)
Sapp previously appeared on the Jeffers stage in MACBETH, THE PIRATE QUEEN and PUFFS. He has also been a director, assistant director and stage manager for such productions as THE LIFESPAN OF A FACT, THE CAKE, BUGSY MALONE, EVITA, and THE JUNGLE FUN ROOM, and is the recipient of a Charles E. Jeffers Award. Sapp's area performing credits include NOISES OFF and THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST with the Lenoir-Rhyne University Playmakers, THE NUTCRACKER with HBPA, and LOVE'S LABOUR'S LOST with the Green Room Community Theatre.
Sapp is honored to be part of Hickory CT's ongoing efforts to bring new works to area audiences, and hopes to play a nicer Paul in the future.
Performances of EATING BLACKBERRIES are Fridays and Saturdays, April 12th through April 20th at 7:30 PM; Sunday, April 14th at 2:30 PM; and, Thursday, April 18th at 7:30 PM. Tickets are $16 for adults, $10 for youth and students.
Tickets are available online at hickorytheatre.org, or by phone at 828-328-2283. The theatre box office is open from 12-5 PM Wednesday through Friday, or one half-hour before a performance.
EATING BLACKBERRIES is rated PG-13 for adult language and situations.
EATING BLACKBERRIES is produced in association with the United Arts Council of Catawba County. The Hickory Community Theatre’s 75th season is sponsored by Paramount Automotive, SunBelt Xpress and Green Park Dentistry. HCT is a Funded Affiliate of the United Arts Council of Catawba County and receives additional support from the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
(Photo by Eric Seale)