By SARA GIBONEY
UNK Communications
KEARNEY – The University of Nebraska at Kearney Studio Theatre’s production of “A Cry of Players” is a journey of moral perfectionism.
“This is a story that many many people can identify with,” said production director Sam Umland. “What do you do to enable yourself to become who you really are?”
“A Cry of Players,” written by William Gibson, is the fictionalized story of William Shakespeare’s life as a young man in Stratford.
Gibson presents young Will (Kyle Mundil of Winside) as the high-spirited, strong-willed, responsible husband of the eight-years-older Anne (Madison Hoge of Omaha) and father of Susanna (Taylor Ritz of Comstock) and recently born twins. Despite his love for his wife, he was a dallier with the town tarts, a carefree worker at his father’s trade and an occasional companion of poachers on the local estates.
When a troupe of inherent actors come to town, Will is determined to be himself – even if it means leaving his home and family.
“‘A Cry of Players’ is one possible version of the life of the young William Shakespeare before he became the person known as William Shakespeare,” Umland said. “For such a famous person, we know very little about him. This is a play that attempts to present a fictionalized portrayal of what his life may have been like.”
The play takes place in the fall of 1587, which is the last time Shakespeare was recorded as living in Stratford.
The cast of over 20 students has been rehearsing since the beginning of March for the play, which Umland said is an emotional rollercoaster.
“You laugh, you cry, you go all over the place like a rollercoaster.”
“If you want to see a play that gives you action, laughter and heartbreaking pathos. It’s got it all. It’s got everything. The play is unique in that way,” Umland added.
“A Cry of Players” is at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday (April 23-26) and at 2 p.m. Sunday (April 27) in the Miriam Drake Theatre.
For tickets, contact the Theatre Box Office at 308.865.8417 or boxoffice@unk.edu. Tickets are $8 for adults; $6 for non-UNK students, seniors and UNK faculty/staff; $5 per person for groups of 10 or more; and free for UNK students with a valid ID.
Cast
Axtell – Jacey Anderson as Meg
Bennington – Elizabeth Hagedorn as Townswoman
Comstock – Taylor Ritz as Susanna
Crofton – Thomas Augustin as Ned
Ogallala – Nathaniel Baldwin as Sir Thomas
Grand Island – Miki Beye as Hemming
Hastings – Tanner Peshek as Sandells
Hickman – Connor Dudley as Fulk
Johnstown – Lars Johnson as Gilbert
Kearney – Elaine Christensen as Arthur
Kearney – Lucas Cox as John
Kearney – Chris Kabes as Kemp
Kearney – Katie Ridder as Jenny
Norfolk – Morgan Wipperling as Townswoman
North Platte – Benjamin Hill as Roche
Omaha – Billy Deardoff as Hodges
Omaha – Madison Hoge as Anne
Valentine – Kyle Perrett as Berry
Waco – Dustin Dye as Richards
Winside – Kyle Mundil as Will
Chicago, IL – Carlie Casas as Townswoman
Overland Park, Kan. – Tyler Hileman as Pop
Student Production Staff
Bennet – Stacey Ockinga (Stage Manager)
Omaha – Crystal Schroeder (Technical Director)
Faculty/Staff Artistic Team
Sam Umland – director
Sara Ice – costume designer
Darin Himmerich – scenic designer
Del DeLorm – lighting designer
Richard Scholwin – sound designer
-30-
Source: Sam Umland, 308-865-8293, umlands@unk.edu
Writer: Sara Giboney, 308.865.8529, giboneys2@unk.edu
The last time this play was presented at UNK our daughter, Kathy Morrow, played the part of Susanna. She is looking forward to attending the play, as she was not allowed to watch the entire play (some parts deemed not appropriate for an 8 year old.
I suppose you know that Margie Helgenberger was also in the production.
She and I will attend one of the productions.
Mary Jo
I too was the last production directed by Fred Koontz. I played the part of Ned.