The Yellow Wallpaper
by Agape Theatre
Nov. 12, 2016
Saturday
Agape Theatre is proud to announce a free, one-night-only Workshop Production of THE YELLOW WALLPAPER, an exciting new adaptation of the classic short story by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. The performance will be held in the Hewlett Room at the Georgetown Public Library on Saturday, November 12th.
Based on the 1892 short story of the same name, THE YELLOW WALLPAPER tells the story of a young woman, Jane, as she grapples with a severe depression which her physician/husband, John, laughs off as a “slight hysterical tendency.” Secluded in a small nursery and under her John’s domineering care, Jane slowly loses grip on her sanity, especially as she becomes increasingly obsessed with the room’s yellow wallpaper. This Gothic-era psychological thriller is not to be missed.
Originally published in 1892, Charlotte Gilman’s short story is regarded as an important early work of American feminist literature and illustrates the horrific attitudes of 19th century society towards the mental and physical wellbeing of women.
“I am incredibly excited and honored to share this work with Williamson County,” said Jeff Davis, Artistic Director of Agape Theatre and playwright of THE YELLOW WALLPAPER. “Gilman’s short story has inspired me since I first read it over 15 years ago, and adapting the 6,000 word story into a full-length play allows for us to explore its themes and ideas in a thrilling new way.”
While still in development and slated for a fully-staged production in 2017, this one night only event will give audiences a peak into the process of creating a new play.
“Agape Theatre is still in the processes of developing and preparing THE YELLOW WALLPAPER for its world premiere production in 2017,” says Davis, “But we’re excited to share the work with our patrons as part of a staged reading. Through the use of three brilliant performers and some projections, music, and sound effects, we hope our audience gets a taste of what to expect from a fully-realized production.”
The staged reading also gives the cast and creative team a chance to gather audience feedback. As Davis explains, “We will be holding a talk-back with the cast after the reading to give the audience an opportunity to share their thoughts and feedback with us. It’s rare for the public to be a part of the development of a new piece of theater, but we’re excited to have that dialogue with our audience.”
THE YELLOW WALLPAPER stars CiCi Barone as Jane, Ismael Soto III as John, and Evelyn LaLonde as The Narrator.
CiCi Barone (Jane) is a trained singer, dancer, and actor and has been seen in many musicals at the Palace Theatre in Georgetown. Recent credits include Agape’s production of Private Lives (Amanda Prynne, BroadwayWorld-Austin Award Nomination) and the Palace’s production of Guys and Dolls (Hot Box Dancer). Other memorable roles include Shelby in Steel Magnolias, Ariel in The Tempest, Emily in A Christmas Carol, Crystal in The Women, Amber Von Tussle in Hairspray, and Juliet in Romeo and Juliet.
Ismael Soto III (John) is a performer and theatre educator who recently made his Zilker debut in Shrek the Musical (Big Bad Wolf). With almost two decades of theatrical experience, favorite roles include Beast in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Ernst Ludwig in Cabaret, Prince Christopher in Cinderella, Andrew Rally in I Hate Hamlet, Lt. Daniel Kaffee in A Few Good Men, Lt. Joseph Cable in South Pacific, Skimbleshanks in Cats, Bobby in A Chorus Line, and Goerge Antrobus in The Skin of Our Teeth at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Evelyn LaLonde (Narrator) has appeared with City Theatre as Hope in Urinetown and Cherie in Bus Stop. Evelyn played the role of Marian in The Music Man at the Georgetown Palace Theater and produced her solo cabaret called My Own Space at the Brass House in downtown Austin. She received a BA in Theatre Arts from Rollins College, in Winter Park, Florida. Other credits include: Never Have I Ever: The Musical (Heckle Her), Company, Austin Holiday Project and Bending Broadway (Austin Theater Project), Muses I-IV, Touch, and di{verge}, an original play with music (The Vestige Group), Vampyress and Hamlet (The Vortex), Music Man and Carousel in Concert (Tex-Arts) and Lone Riders, Blood Brothers (Trinity Street Players), Love...Perfect...Change, A Little Night Music, JCS (Georgetown Palace). www.evelynlalonde.com.
Jeff Davis (Playwright) is the Artistic Director of Agape Theatre. A first time playwright, he has directed Agape’s productions of Six Dance Lessons (BroadwayWorld-Austin Award Nomination, Best Director of a Comedy), Suffer the Long Night, Private Lives (BroadwayWorld-Austin Award Nomination, Best Director of a Comedy), and Picnic. He has also appeared in AcTAG’s production of Over the River and Through the Woods (Nick) and will soon appear in the Palace’s production of Arsenic and Old Lace.
Running time: 2 hours and 30 minutes with one intermission.
THE YELLOW WALLPAPER features some situations and language that may not be suitable for audience members under the age of 13. Parental discretion is advised.
This event is not affiliated with or sponsored by the Georgetown Public Library or the City of Georgetown.
The Yellow Wallpaper
by Jeff Davis, adapted from a story by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
Agape Theatre
November 12, 2016
THE YELLOW WALLPAPER plays the Hewlett Room of the Georgetown Public Library for one night only, Saturday, November 12th at 7:30pm. A discussion with the cast and playwright will immediately follow the performance. Seats are assigned and can be reserved at no charge at www.ticketor.com/agapetheatre or by calling 512-88-STAGE. Seats in the first 2 rows may be reserved with a $10 donation, and seats in the 3rd or 4th row may be reserved with a $5 donation.
