Guilford Center Stage begins its second season with the premiere of a pair of one-act plays by Guilford playwright, Michael Nethercott, who also directs the production. “Nocturne Titanica” is a unique take on the sinking of the Titanic. “The Lace Jury” is based on the first American all-women jury of the 20th century. Interestingly, the historic events on which the plays are based happened within 6 months of each other in 1911 and 1912.
There will be three performances: Friday and Saturday, June 3 and 4 at 7:30 pm, and a matinee on Sunday, June 5 at 2 pm. at Broad Brook Grange.
Michael Nethercott is a Guilford fiction writer and playwright, the author of two mystery novels, The Séance Society and The Haunting Ballad published by St. Martin’s Press. His writings have appeared in numerous periodicals and anthologies including Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, and Best Crime and Mystery Stories of the Year. Additionally, he’s won several literary awards including the Vermont Playwrights Award, the Nor’easter Play Writing Contest, and the Clauder Competition for Best Vermont Play.
The production includes twenty actors from throughout the area. The cast for “The Lace Jury” includes Jenny Holan, Julie Holland, Bryn Austin, Carolyn Taylor-Olson, Sara Vitale, and Beverly Miller.
“Nocturne Titanica” is performed by a cast portraying: the Captain and ship’s personnel: Marvin Shedd, Richard Epstein, Richard Wizansky, Todd Mandell, Anders Burrows, and Michael Nethercott; 1st Class passengers Maryann Kelley Parrot, William Stearns, and Joshua Cunningham; 2nd Class passengers Cris Parker-Jennings, Bob Tucker, and Carolyn Taylor-Olson; in 3rd Class Joel Kaemmerlen. Jenny Holan, Julie Holland, and Emily Matthew-Muller. The Ice Spirit is played by dancer Cyndal Ellis.
Don McLean is producer; assistant producers is Laura Lawson Tucker. Susan Shedd is stage manager and a musician, and lights and sound are designed by Maria Pugnetti. The playwright has provided settings and costumes.
Broad Brook Grange created Guilford Center Stage to bring theater to the stage in its historic building, emphasizing plays with local connections. Its inaugural production, last October, was the comedy Tourists Accommodated by Vermont author Dorothy Canfield Fisher. The 2016 season continues with a theater camp for 5th-8th graders in August. Following this season’s theme of plays set in the years just before the First World War, in October Center Stage will present A Battle of Wits by Charles W. Henry. Born in Guilford in 1850, Henry was one of Vermont’s leading scenic painters, and he created the four curtains and set of flats on the Grange stage.
Last fall’s inaugural production at Guilford Center Stage played to full houses, so advance ticket purchase is recommended. General Admission is $10, with a small service fee for Brown Paper Tickets, through which advance tickets are being sold. This is also the only way to use a credit card to purchase tickets. Order online at http://bpt.me/2533572, or call toll-free 1-800-838-3006. As available, remaining tickets will be on sale at the door.
The Grange is at 3940 Guilford Center Road, 4 miles west of the Country Store. Please note that the theater is up a flight of stairs. Not recommended for small children.
