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Picnic

by William Inge [PG]

Directed by Michele Wright.

The waning days of summer should give way to the promise of autumn and a new start. But it is 1953 in this small Kansas town and options are few for the stunningly beautiful Madge and Millie, her independent younger sister. They both yearn for more than the life of staid domesticity awaiting them. Then Hal, a dangerously handsome drifter, comes along and sets the whole town a-flutter. He and Madge strike instant sparks, but can she really reject all she's been taught, to follow unreliable hopes and a pounding heart? In this Pulitzer Prize-winning classic, Inge depicts the pleasure - and the pain - of risking everything to choose your own path.

Director's Notes

"I've always been glad that I grew up in Independence, because I feel it gave me a knowledge of people and a love of people. I've often wondered how people raised in our great cities ever develop any knowledge of humankind. People who grow up in small towns get to know each other so much more closely than they do in cities... and so maybe its people have more heart in human affairs. Big people come out of small towns." ~William Inge

Picnic is about the heart of small towns and the joy and struggle. William Inge wrote about his birthplace in the heart of our country, Independence, Kansas. He was proud to come from such humble beginnings and treasured such rich and diverse stories which bring the souls of his characters to life. He proved that small town stories could be just as fascinating and full of vigor as those from the bright lights of the big city. Others agreed. Picnic won the Pulitzer Prize for drama as well as the New York Drama Critics' Circle award for Best Play in 1953. Picnic later was made into a film in 1955 and received 2 Academy Awards.

I was drawn to direct Picnic because I too am proud of my hometown upbringing. I am 4th generation Evergreen and was in my first show here at Center Stage when I was 14 years old. I am happy to be returning home. Just like Inge, I feel I have learned the ways of the heart and humankind from growing up in this "small town". To sit and watch people from all over our community come together to construct my vision has been humbling and I am deeply touched by all the hard work and effort that has gone into what you will see tonight. With deep gratitude I want to thank my amazing cast and crew who have become dear friends throughout this process. I wish to thank my mother who stitch by stitch made me the woman I am today. My father who drops everything to make sure all the loose ends are always tied and my dear husband Rob, who makes my dreams clearer every day. Thank you. ~Michele Wright, Director

Cast

Michele Wright Director

Michele was last seen as Molly in Smell of the Kill and now finds herself on the other side of the footlights directing this outstanding cast of Picnic. Some of her favorite shows to be involved in were Sylvia, A Thousand Clowns, Noises Off, Parallel Lives, The Diviners, Orestes, and Waiting for Godot.

Karen Kargel Helen Potts

Karen is so happy to be back on Center/Stage. She has performed here in Last Night of Ballyhoo, Lost in Yonkers, and Death Trap among others. She was seen last as Charly in Seascape with E Project, and you may catch a glimpse of her in a current Clear Choice Dental Implant commercial.

Kyle Beck Hal Carter

Kyle is honored to be treading the Evergreen stage for the first time. Kyle received his BA in Theatre Arts from the University of San Diego, and is proud to make his post-undergrad debut with The Players. Favorite roles of the past include Picasso in Picasso at the Lapin Agile, Patient in Marat/Sade, and Kyle Beck in the world premiere of Theatre Smash! A huge thanks to the cast and crew of Picnic, it has been a delight working with all of you. He would like to thank his friends and family for their continuing support as he chases his dream. And a special thank you to his abroad girlfriend, Lexi, whose continuing love and support makes his dreams seem that much closer.

Desiree Samler Millie Owens

Desiree Samler is so excited to be back with Evergreen Players where she was last seen as Gloria in Wait Until Dark. She is a freshman at Denver School of the Arts as a theater major. You may have seen her perform at the DCPA in The Pillowman, A Christmas Carol, and White Christmas. Other favorites include Mary in The Secret Garden and Brigitta in The Sound of Music. Lots of thanks to Michele for giving her this opportunity and her friends and family for their love and support. Enjoy the show!

Carson Cram Bomber

Carson is excited to play Bomber in Picnic. He is a freshman at Denver School of the Arts and has recently performed as A-rab in West Side Story for the JCC, Jose in Fame for CCT and The Memory Mender in Still Life with Iris with Denver School of the Arts.

Whitney M. Ayers Madge Owens

Whitney is please to be walking the boards again with the Players. She lives and works in Littleton, and her favorite roles include Babe in "Crimes of the Heart", Brooke in "Noises Off", and Emily in "Our Town". She has enjoyed working with the cast and crew of "Picnic" immensely. It has been pure joy!!! She would like to thank her friends and family for always being there to support her! A special thank you to Sean, my husband, you're still the one that makes my heart race!!

Mandi McKibbin Ogle Flo Owens

Mandi's honored to once again perform with the Players. Her favorite roles have been in The Secret Garden, A Christmas Carol, and Dearly Departed. Mandi also runs the Evergreen Players Drama Camp. Her sincere gratitude goes out to Michele for this opportunity and to those who inspire her and keep her sane. Mandi lives in Evergreen with her ridiculously supportive husband Scott.

Jillann Tafel Rosemary Sydney

Jillann is happy to be working with Evergreen Players again where her previous roles were Kate in Sylvia and Angie in Breaking Legs. She thanks Michele for giving her this great opportunity to work with this amazing cast, crew and director. She was most recently seen playing a police officer in the film "Left Unsaid". Jillann is originally from Chicago, and is a graduate of the Second City Training Center. She thanks her family for their love and support.

Stephen Swofford Alan Seymour

Stephen Swofford is really excited to be in this production. It is his first production in ten years (academic productions excluded) and he has greatly bemoaned the loss. He would like to thank his friends and some of his family for their support, and would like to give special thanks to the rest of the cast and the crew of this wonderful production. It has been an honor.

Victoria Knight-Allen Irma Kronkite

Victoria has enjoyed a wide array of roles throughout the Metro area - from north to south and east to west! She recently played Suzanne in the Evergreen Players production of Dearly Departed. Thank you to Michelle for her support and much love to her family for their willingness to let mom do her stuff.

Teri Miller Christine Schoenwalder

Teri is thrilled to be part of the Players and to be on stage again after many years. She lives and works in Evergreen and is incredibly grateful to her very supportive family and friends. She thanks Michele for the opportunity, and to the talented cast and crew - it's been an honor and a pleasure to work with you!

Ken David Howard Bevans

After more than a 20 year hiatus, Ken is glad to be returning to the stage. Ken recently moved to Evergreen and is thrilled and honored to be involved with the Evergreen Players. Many thanks to Michele and the cast for their support.

Sean Maslow Assistant Director

Sean is very proud to be part of this production of Picnic. He is honored to have worked with such a wonderfully talented cast and director. Sean was last seen on Center/Stage in "Escanaba in Da Moonlight" as well as the premier of E.P.i.C. improv. Thanks for coming and enjoy the show!

Glen Ness Stage Manager

Glen does most of his work behind the scenes with the Evergreen Players. You'll find him lurking in the shadows as stage manager or he could turn up almost anywhere. Picnic is the latest production he's had the privilege of being part of in Evergreen with the Evergreen Players. It's a classic story with a strong cast and crew. Many thanks to Michelle for including him!! Other productions include; Sixteen Wounded, Night Watch, Moon Over Buffalo and Complete Works of Shakespeare (Abridged). Glen would like to thank everyone for coming and supporting the theater!

Mark Ness Assistant Stage Manager

Mark is a back stage veteran of Evergreen Players performances and has enjoyed every opportunity a lot! Performances he's got under his belt include, Night Watch, Moon Over Buffalo, I Hate Hamlet and Sixteen Wounded. He loves helping with lighting and being part of the run crew (if not being the entire crew) as well as assisting the stage manager!

Production Crew