The Sherman Playhouse Opens 2011 with BAD SEED, 4/22-5/14

The Sherman Playhouse will open its 2011 season with the classic, Tony Award-winning thriller, BAD SEED, by Maxwell Anderson. The play opens April 22 for a four-week run.

BAD SEED takes place in the 1950s in a small suburban town where the Penmarks live with their daughter, Rhoda (Campbell Coughlin of Sherman). On the surface she is sweet, charming, full of old-fashionEd Graces, loved by her parents, and admired by all her elders. But Rhoda's mother has an uneasy feeling about her. When one of Rhoda's schoolmates is mysteriously drowned at a picnic, Mrs. Penmark is alarmed. For the boy who was drowned was the winner of the penmanship medal that Rhoda felt she deserved. What follows is an eerie, spellbinding thriller filled with unexpected twists and turns.

"This story is so far ahead of its time," said director Jane Farnol of Gaylordsville. "Before horrific films like 'Rosemary's Baby', 'The Exorcist', and 'The Omen' was this all-too-realistic tale of a sweet little wolf in lamb's clothing. After nearly 60 years, this play still holds up as chilling, melodramatic, and engrossing - even for today's audiences. We have a wonderful cast all around and people will leave talking about the outstanding performances and its chilling finale."

"As good as the movie was, the play is quite different," said producer Katherine Almquist of Sharon, who also portrays the role of Monica. "There are elements on stage, and an incredible twist ending that couldn't be shown to 1950s movie audiences. Fortunately, theatrical audiences will be treated to all the frightening bits - including the surprise conclusion - in this outstanding production."

In addition to Coughlin and Almquist, BAD SEED features some of the region's finest actors: Susan Abrams (Warren), Patrick Spaulding (New Fairfield), David Almquist (Sharon), Bill Gilbert (West Cornwall), Peter Pecora, Adam Battelstein, Joshua Kragh (all Kent), and Vicki Sosbe, Beth Bonnabeau, Martin Rosato, and Phair Haldin (all New Milford).

The crew includes set designer Bill Gilbert, costumers Terry Hawley and Joe Russo, sound designer David White, lighting designer Peter Petrino, and stage manager Laura Gilbert.

BAD SEED was based on the best-selling novel, "The Bad Seed" by William March and made its Broadway debut at The 46th Street Theatre on December 8, 1954. The novel and the play were the basis for the award-winning 1956 film of the same title starring Patty McCormack as Rhoda. The New York Telegram said of the play, "It is solely and honestly meant to entertain...As purely purposeful diversion it ranks with 'Dracula' and sometimes sets your spine to as much tingling...chilling."

BAD SEED runs April 22,23  29,30, May 1  6,7,8  13,14. Curtain time is 8:00 p.m. Fridays & Saturdays, with 2:00 p.m. Sunday matinees on May 1 and May 8. Tickets for all shows are $20 for general seating.

On Thursday, April 21, all patrons are invited to attend a "Half-Price Preview Night" at 8:00 p.m. where all tickets are only $10. Students may see any performance for only $10 if they pay in CASH ONLY AT THE DOOR and carry a valid student ID. Students may not make reservations in advance for a performance. On April 22, an opening night party on will be held after the show, complete with wine and hors d'oeuvres.

Reservations can be made online at WWW.SHERMANPLAYERS.ORG or by calling the box office at (860) 354-3622. The Sherman Playhouse now accepts credit card payments both online and at the door.

 

The Sherman Playhouse is a local theatre company located on 5 Route 39 North (at the intersection of Route 37 and 39) in Sherman, Conn.

 

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