Dedicated to the citizens of Mason County, Washington since 1886
Dedicated to the citizens of Mason County, Washington since 1886
From left, Monty Cobb is Hannibal, Deeann Meacham is Mrs. Savage, Wendy Cobb is Mrs. Paddy and Barb Hubbard is Florence in the Harstine island Theatre Club's staging of the dramedy "The Curious Savage" Nov. 21-24 at the Harstine Island Community Hall.
In John Patrick's stage dramedy "The Curious Savage," elderly widow Ethel Savage, whose husband left her $10 million, intends to give the entire fortune away to people who wish to pursue their "foolish dreams."
Her three adults stepchildren strongly object. To prevent her from giving away their family's wealth, they have her committed to a sanatorium called The Cloisters. Among the gentle residents, Savage finds her true family.
The Harstine Island Theatre Club stages "The Curious Savage" at 7 p.m. Nov. 21 and 22, and 2 p.m. Nov. 23 and 24 at the Harstine Island Community Hall, 3371 E. Harstine Island Road N. Admission is free, with donations accepted. To get to the hall, take a left off the Harstine island bridge and drive about three miles.
The play debuted on Broadway in 1950 in New York City, with Lillian Gish in the title role.
The play is directed by Pam Mueller, who directed two production of it when she taught high school drama in Bellingham. Her father also directed the show while teaching at Peninsula High School in Gig Harbor.
"The Curious Savage" presents a stark contrast between the stepchildren - a senator, a judge and a society woman - and the kindhearted inhabitants of The Cloisters.
"The play has a lot of heart," Mueller said.
The cast features Barb Hubbard as Florence, Monty Cobb as Hannibal, Sherly Fellman as Fairy, Ted Schroeder as Jeff, Wendy Cobb as Mrs. Paddy, Kenny Latimer as Titus, Liz Brunner as Lilly Belle, Mike Benson as Dr. Emmett and Deeann Meacham as Mrs. Savage. Making their debuts with the group are Molly Baker as Miss Willie, Dan Goodell as Samuel and Autumn Wade as John Thomas.
Wade us also in charge of the props, Baker the poster, Greg Fellman the lights, Anne Strathairn the producer, Steve Andrews the sound and P.J. Hopkins the publicity. Jeannine Sturtevant is a consultant.
Mueller has directed large casts of adults and children for the group, including "The Velveteen Rabbit" and "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever." This play is a first for her -"I've never worked with all adults," she said.
"It's more collaborative ... They do things more proactively," she said.
IF YOU GO:
WHO: Harstine Island Theatre Club
WHAT: Play "The Curious Savage"
WHEN: 7 p.m. Nov. 21 and 22, and 2 p.m. Nov. 23 and 24
WHERE: Harstine Island Community Hall, 3371 E. Harstine Island Road N.
ADMISSION: Free
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