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FARMINGTON – University of Maine at Farmington presents the award-winning drama “Anatomy of Gray” by Jim Leonard as the fall 2009 Theatre UMF production. This tale of the residents of a small Midwestern town as they struggle in the face of a mysterious illness will be presented at 7:30 p.m., Thursday through Saturday, Oct. 22 – 24; and 2 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 25, at the UMF Alumni Theater.
Winner of the 2006 Kennedy Center/American College Theatre Festival, “Anatomy of Gray” is set in the fictional town of Gray, Indiana in the late 1800’s. It tells the story of June, a young girl, who, shaken by the death of her father, prays for a doctor to come to her town so no one will have to suffer again. When a man claiming to be a doctor suddenly appears, he seems to be the answer to her prayer, until a mysterious plague spreads through the town and challenges the people’s attitudes towards death, loss, love and healing.
Under the direction of Peter Simmel, UMF associate professor of theater, “Anatomy of Gray” brings together an ensemble of skilled students. According to Simmel, over 50 students from across the academic disciplines auditioned for the nine acting roles in Leonard’s play.
“Theatre UMF can be the doorway to real-world theater experience for any talented student at UMF,” said Simmel. “Students interested in serious theater have the opportunity to enhance their abilities in every aspect of theater at UMF, including, performing, set design and several levels of directing.”
An award-winning playwright, Leonard is best known for “The Diviners,” “Battle Hymn,” and “Anatomy of Gray.” Theatrical honors include three NEA Fellowships, a New York Villager Award, the Midland Writers Award, the Samuel French Best New Play Award and the Dramatists Guild Award. Leonard also created several television series, co-wrote the screenplay for Mira Nair’s award-winning film “My Own Country” and worked with actor Robert Altman on numerous films.
Tickets for the performance are $6 for adults, $5 for all students and $4 for seniors. Tickets are available at the time of the performance and can be reserved by calling the Theatre UMF box office at 207-778-7465.
CAST:
Galen Gray . . . . . Ryan Patstone – North Waterboro
June Muldon . . . . . Sarah Nadeau – New Portland
Rebekah Muldon . . . . . . . . Sarah O Blenes – Salisbury, Mass.
Pastor Phineas Wingfield . . . . . Aaron Poirier – Bar Harbor
Tiny Wingfield . . . . . Margaux De Pue – Sidney
Crutch Collins . . . . . Gregory McElvaine – Belgrade
Belva Collins . . . . . Britany Blais – Garland
Maggie . . . . . Jade Wells – Pittsfield
Homer . . . . . Adam Randall – Braintree, Mass.
Townspeople:
Store owner . . . . . Matt Buckley – Gouldsboro
Schoolmaster . . . . . Kenny Lamb – Scarborough
Seamstress . . . . . Sarah Cropley – Topsham
Store owner . . . . . Laura Cowie – Portland
CREW:
Director . . . . . Peter Simmel, UMF associate professor of theater
Lighting/Scenic/Sound Designer . . . . . Daniel Brunk
Costume Designer . . . . . Jeff Watts
Stage Manager . . . . . Rebekah Church – Vienna
