Wit

W;t
a play by Margaret Edson
directed by Bill Fountain
April 10th and 11th, 2006
Mesquite Community Theater

starring: Alice Montgomery, Kyle Dupree, Heather Walker, Chris Hauge, Jan Summar, Michael McNiel, and Himani Kilkarni.

Assistant Director/Stage Manager Angelica Fernandez
Lighting Design: Tina Pisanelli and Marie Barrett
Props/Equipment/Costumes Michael Lowery and Angelica Fernandez

“W;t” Stage Reading

Professor Vivian Bearing has been diagnosed with Stage Four Ovarian Cancer. She is undergoing intensive chemotherapy. Thus begins the play “W;t,” an incredible journey "Once I did the teaching, now I am taught.” Vivian tells us. As her time draws to a close, a change begins to work in the way Vivian thinks about life, death, and what separates the two.

Mesquite Community Theater presents a staged reading of the Pulitzer Prize winning play “W;t” by Margaret Edson, Monday and Tuesday evening, April 10^th and 11th, at 7:30 p.m. in the Blackbox Theater in the Mesquite Arts Center (located at 1527 Galloway Road in Mesquite Texas, just one mile South of Highway 80).

The stage reading stars Alice Montgomery in the lead role, with outstanding performances by Kyle Dupree, Heather Dianne Walker, Chris Haughy, Jan Summar and Michael McNiel. The reading is directed by Bill Fountain. The performances are free.

"W;t" is the story of Vivian Bearing, a literal, hardnosed English professor who has been diagnosed with terminal ovarian cancer. During the story, she reflects on her reactions to the cycle the cancer takes, the treatments, and significant events in her life.

“’W;t’ is an amazing play,” says director Bill Fountain, a local school teacher and artist, “It engages the heart and the mind. The audience is so much a part of Vivian’s struggle coming to grips with her cancer and the treatment; it’s an incredible theatrical experience. It’s a remarkable project and I am so honored to be a part of it, alongside such dedicated and talented actors. It’s eye opening. It’s heartbreaking. It’s jaw dropping. And yet, it’s a very honest and real portrait of the journey many people face. Cancer, in any form, is insidious. I think this play brings home the real power of the human spirit in the face of incredible adversity. It’s truly a play about life and death; about what really separates the two.”

Fountain was assigned the task of putting together a cast and crew for the staged reading of the play in less than a week. “I love a challenge.” Says Fountain. “And I love working with talented people who are up to an ambitious undertaking. I think there is something to be said for that burst of spontaneous energy that comes with a tight deadline. I think it forces us to trust our creative instincts and run with it. There really isn’t time to rethink or question your choices. It’s a sink or swim method of creativity. I love it.”

“The character of Vivian Bearing is a very large and difficult role, especially to put together in one week!” says Alice Montgomery. “She is a renowned professor of 17th century poetry who is suddenly diagnosed with Stage IV metastatic ovarian cancer. She is a scholar of John Donne, who wrote poetry about life and death--his Holy Sonnets explored mortality in greater depth than any other body of work in the English language. Vivian's only defense is to try and outwit the cancer through learning everything she can about it, including all the correct medical terms. At the end, she realizes the futility of it, and the great chasm she had placed between herself and the rest of humanity makes her very lonely indeed. She's not just considering life and death, she's considering her life, her death! I am thrilled to be given the opportunity to play this brilliant character and work with Bill Fountain, our director.”

Film and Television actor Kyle Dupree portrays Dr. Jason Posner, the doctor who follows Vivian through her treatment. "The character of Posner is so fascinating because he is this young clinical fellow in the oncology department following in the footsteps of a major player in cancer research.” Kyle says. “His life is entirely focused on professional research and in the process making a name for his own self in his field, possibly eclipsing the credentials of his mentor. His one-track scientific mind is eventually derailed and brought into a human realm that includes compassion. It is a turn most of us have to consider in some form at some time in our lives with a conflict being the catalyst. The catalyst for Dr. Posner in ‘W;t’ just happens to be stronger than any university degree knowledge obtains, research uncovers, or self-appreciation consumes." Dupree has worked with Fountain before on a film project. “Kyle brings so much to the table.” Fountain says. “He really absorbs himself in the character and finds these incredible ways to put us into the character’s head. I love working with him.”

Heather Walker plays Susie, Vivian’s nurse while in the hospital. “I think it's a powerful piece that confronts the view with the human being part of a cancer patient. I think a lot of us (and maybe some medical professionals) like to detach and only see the disease. That way, we don't have to deal with the rawness and the emotional pain that it causes. This play refuses to let us do that. It MAKES us deal with those issues. It's a rough ride, but , ultimately, a cathartic one.” Heather, a theater arts teacher in Frisco, welcomed the challenge of putting together this project under the extremely tight deadline. “Heather is a real trooper.” Says Fountain. “She really has a great handle on Susie’s character.”