TWU Drama Department Production Is Family Fare

5/14/04

DENTON —A story of love and acceptance is told through the use of poetry and American Sign Language as the Texas Woman’s University Drama Department presents Mother Hicks at 7 p.m. Friday, May 21, in the Redbud Theatre, located on Bell Avenue on TWU’s Denton campus.

There is no charge for admission. For group ticket reservations and other information, contact Sharon Benge, TWU Drama program director, at (940) 898-2518.

Mother Hicks takes place during the Great Depression in a small, southern Illinois town beset with illness, drought and a failed economy. The townspeople, looking for someone to blame, focus on Mother Hicks, an eccentric woman who lives alone at the top of Dug Hill. They say she’s a witch, but only two other town outcasts — Tuc, a young deaf man; and an orphan known only as Girl — know the truth.

The play, written by Susan Zeder, one of the nation’s leading playwrights for family audiences, explores the roots of prejudice and looks at fear bred of misunderstanding. In doing so, it speaks to the redeeming power of acceptance and love.

The TWU production features Shasenka Lopez as Mother Hicks; Eric Breland as Tuc; and Amanda Kelts as Girl. Other cast members include Reginald Peters as Ricky Ricks; Effua Oginga as Ricky’s mother, Izzy Sue Ricks; Joshua Scott Handcock as Howie Hammon; Travis Ross as Howie’s father, Jake Hammon; Veronica Parrish-McGruder as Eunice P. Eudy; Brista Hurst as Wilma Walker; and Travis Ross and Alicia Green as Hosiah and Alma Ward.

Mother Hicks is directed by TWU graduate student Patricia Stepken. Set design is by Alicia Green, with Margaret Marrs as props designer. Sound design is by Jaymes Gregory; hair and makeup designs by Mandy Bruce; lighting design by Christina Blankenship; and choreography by Macy Thorton. Stefanie Glenn is the stage manager.

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For Further Information Contact:

Karen Treat
Senior Copywriter
Tel: (940) 898-3456
e-mail: ktreat@twu.edu