Hickory Community Theatre kicks off its new Ghost Light Series with a staged reading of Laura Wade’s dark domestic comedy HOME, I'M DARLING, this coming Tuesday, September 27th at 7:30PM in the Council Chamber. Admission is free and open to the public. The reading is directed by Grace Bollinger and Katie Stone, with a cast that includes Hannah Nuhfer, Robert “Tatum” Terry, Bethany Spears, Michael Navarro, Stephanie Lindsay and Katie Stone.
Wade’s sharp-eyed script tells the story of Judy and Johnny—a 21st Century married couple who intentionally transform their home into a world of 1950s wedded bliss. But life is not all cake and cocktails, and being a domestic goddess is not the dream role it seems for Judy. HOME, I'M DARLING was first performed at Theatre Clwyd in Wales in 2018. In 2019 it was performed at the National Theatre and The Duke of York's Theatre, both in London.
For co-director Grace Bollinger, the play is a timely dissection of gender expectations—at home, at work, and in relationships. “It’s rare that there’s a discussion of gender, misogyny, and sexism this in-depth and nuanced. By setting the past in the present, Home, I’m Darling drives the kind of necessary discussions that spark change and growth. It has truly captured my mind, and embodies one of theatre’s many powers: examining society.”
Co-director Katie Stone adds: “It is hard to briefly put into words all that this play serves to an audience—which is why I’m so excited that we get to experience it in this new reading series! Many of us spend time thinking of the past, daydreaming about it fondly (“Those were the good ol’ days!”), frequently forgetting the suffering experienced at a distance. This play is a good reminder that it’s hard to live in the past when the present is begging us to pay attention—to reevaluate what may have once been, but no longer serves us.”
The reading represents the inaugural kickoff of HCT’s new Ghost Light Series. The series will present staged readings of plays that have not been produced at HCT. This includes both new works as well as older, under-served works. The readings will invite audience feedback that enables HCT to further explore the merits of a work for future production consideration.
The cast includes Hannah Nuhfer (HELLO, DOLLY!) as Judy, Robert “Tatum” Terry (MEMPHIS) as Johnny, Bethany Spears (THE COLOR PURPLE) as Fran, Michael Navarro (BY A FLARED NOSTRIL) as Marcus, Stephanie Lindsay (THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHTTIME) as Sylvia, and Katie Stone (THE CAKE) as Alex.
Donovan Harper, Paul Sapp, and HCT Artistic Director Eric Seale are co-producers.
For more information, you can reach the Box Office at (828) 328-2283, or email boxoffice@hickortytheatre.org
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