Jeffrey Hatcher's Three Viewings
on stage at Madison Repertory Theatre
Madison Repertory Theatre continues its 30th anniversary
season with Jeffrey Hatcher's Three Viewings, opening
September 4 at the Madison Civic Center's Isthmus
Playhouse.
There's a story behind every farewell. In a small town
funeral parlor, three stories weave together to portray the
extent to which we all hold on to memories, money, life and
love. "Tell Tale" is the story of Emil, a mild- mannered
undertaker. Burning with unspoken passion for a local realtor
who frequents his funerals, Emil plots to confess his true
feelings before time&emdash;and bodies&emdash;run out. "The
Thief of Tears" is Mac, a Los Angeles drifter who makes her
living stealing jewelry from corpses. When her wealthy
grandmother dies and leaves her nothing, Mac returns to her
hometown and attempts to pry loose her inheritance, a diamond
ring the grandmother promised her when she was a child.
"Thirteen Things About Ed Carpolotti" is the story of Virginia,
the widow of a wheeler-dealer contractor who discovers just how
her husband Ed has been doing business. The clever resolution,
reminiscent of an O. Henry short story, is inspired.
In this comic drama, Jeffrey Hatcher couples the power of a
thriller writer with the sensitivity of one who understands the
human heart. Three Viewings was the first reading in
Madison Rep's workshop series "From Page to Stage," where it
received finishing touches before opening in New York City.
Three Viewings has been embraced by audiences in London,
Off-Broadway and at regional theaters throughout the United
States.
The production will be directed by Madison Rep artistic
director, D. Scott Glasser. The cast features the talents of
Chicago actor Bradley Mott as Emil, the funeral director. Mr.
Mott has appeared on several Chicago stages and in various
television and movie roles. Cheryl Williams plays Mac, the Los
Angeles drifter. Also from Chicago, Ms. Williams makes her
Madison Rep debut in Three Viewings. Her work has been
seen in Chicago and in various regional theaters across the
country. Ruth Schudson plays the widow, Virginia. Ms. Schudson
was involved in the original "Page to Stage" reading of
Three Viewings. She has worked with regional theaters
and various Milwaukee theaters, including Milwaukee Chamber
Theatre, Milwaukee Rep, Skylight Opera and Next Act
Theater.
Costume design is by Mary Waldhart, set design by Frank
Schneeberger and lighting design by John Frautschi, with Meghan
Gaugher as production stage manager.
Three Viewings is funded in part by grants from the
Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the State of Wisconsin and
the Shubert Foundation. The corporate sponsor is Robert W.
Baird & Company.
