A tale of 3 sisters

Beth Henley's award-winning play, "Crimes of the Heart" opened Thursday and runs at 7:30 p.m. tonight and Saturday in Garret Theatre."It is one of just a handful of plays written by a woman to win a Pulitzer Prize," said director Stephen Gray-Lewis, associate professor of theater. "I saw it in New York in 1981 and was very impressed with it then."

Written in 1979, "Crimes of the Heart" takes place in Hazlehurst, Miss., in the late 1970s, Gray-Lewis said.

Junior Tina Lavis, stage and sound manager, said, "The screen door and background help set the time and place."

The set also has a staircase, furniture, and even appliances for the kitchen. Out the kitchen window, a southern wilderness backdrop would change its appearance during the show to suit the time of day.

"I think the set is really cool. It has running water and a working 'fridge," Lavis said.

Everything down to a squeaky screen door sets the scene nicely. The details and intriguing design of the set add much to the performance. Much work went into making this replica of a house.

At first glance, this story appears to be a tragedy. However, it actually has a comedic quality said Gray-Lewis.

"It is about three sisters in a moment of crisis," he said.

Junior Nicole Moore, who plays Meg Magrath, one of the three sisters,

said, "It is hysterical."

Meg, the middle sister has a bumpy past. She moved to California to pursue her career as a singer but ended up with a history of drinking and men.

The three sisters have diversely different attributes. The oldest sister, Lenny, played by freshman Megan Murray, tends to be awkward, na've, and afraid of men.

Babe, the youngest sister, played by freshman Kate Kistner, is the main character in the story. She shoots and wounds her husband and faces prosecution and possible jail time. Her situation brings the sisters together for the first time in years.

The cast act this play out very well. The acting and directing make for an overall good and humorous experience.

All of the actors put on a very impressive performance. The three sisters put on an especially stunning show.

Junior Joanna Stanton plays Chick, a cousin.

"She is egotistical and thinks she is better than her cousins, so it is fun to play her," Stanton said.

Kistner contributes to over half of all the humor, not only in her lines, but also in her facial expressions and mannerisms.

Moore also puts on an impressive show. Her character has spunk, which she plays up in her acting.

To help set the era, the actors and actresses wear costumes that define the south in the late 1970s. The women wear colorful dresses and skirts while the men wear leisure suits and outdoor work clothes.

The cast is rounded out by junior Matt Rohner as Doc and freshman Steven Schrader as Barnette.

The overall show has plenty of laughs and would be well worth the $6 and two hours sacrificed to see it. "It is funny and they will enjoy it," said Gray-Lewis.

Take advantage of the calm before the flurry of finals and pay a visit to Garret Theatre this weekend. Tickets cost $6 for students, $7 for Bona community members and $8 for general public.