When Ethel Savage’s late husband leaves her a small fortune, she creates a fund to support dreamers with whimsical ambitions. But her three greedy stepchildren commit her to a mental institution, hoping to bring her to her senses. At the sanitarium, a warm and welcoming place called The Cloisters, Ethel befriends the other “guests,” a colorful group of kind, generous, and delusional souls, while her stepchildren search for her fortune. With warmth, humor, and dignity, John Patrick’s masterful comedy celebrates those often overlooked and reminds us of the power of kindness, affection, and empathy in a world where too often it is overlooked. 

 

The production is under the direction of guest director Payton Trahan (City Theatre’s Tartuffe, Picnic, and Dancing at Lughnasa). The  cast features Kristen Fern Johnson, Darren Scharf, Shanaya Dixon, Graham Childers, Marc Carlson, Emily-Ann Patterson, Leland Miles, Sara Barber, Chris Cook, Savannah Martinez, and Regina Grimes.

 

Renowned American playwright John Patrick is celebrated for his prolific contributions to theatre, film, and radio. Throughout his career, he wrote fifty plays, thirty screenplays, and over a thousand radio plays, and is praised for his warm-hearted comedies with sharp wit, well-drawn characters, skillful storytelling, and a compassionate perspective on humanity. His notable plays include The Hasty Heart, The Willow and I, The Curious Savage, and his most successful work, The Teahouse of the August Moon, which received the Pulitzer Prize and the Tony Award for Best Play. 

 

Beginning its 21st Season, City Theatre is an Austin-based, not-for-profit arts organization and is sponsored in part by the Austin Creative Alliance and the Cultural Arts Division of the City of Austin. Founded in 2006, the company has been recognized by the Austin Critics Table Awards, the B. Iden Payne Awards, the Central Texas Excellence in Theatre Awards, BroadwayWorld Austin, Central Texas Live Theatre, and has twice been voted “Best Theatre Company” by Austin American-Statesman’s Austin 360. CTC is dedicated to providing a quality, reputable, and diverse public theatre and stage entertainment experience that is accessible to all artists and the entire Austin community. Put a little theatre in your life!