FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (11/90)
SHREVEPORT, LA -- Period of Adjustment, Tennessee Williams' serious comedy about marriage, will open at Centenary College's Marjorie Lyons Playhouse on Nov. 14 for a seven-performance run.
Director Robert Buseick has selected the show as Centenary's entry in the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival. This is the first time in six years that director Buseick has been able to enter a participating production in the festival because of his past Region VI term of office as Vice-Chair and Chair. The Louisiana College Theater Festival will be held Dec. 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 at Marjorie Lyons Playhouse with Period of Adjustment opening the nine-show festival.
Period of Adjustment is a biting and entertaining comedy that explores the attitudes of love and marriage. It concerns Ralph Bates who is alone on Christmas Eve since his wife of five years has just left him because he quit his job working for her father. He's waiting for his war buddy, George Haverstick, who has just called to say that he is just a few miles away and will be dropping in with his new wife of 24 hours. These couples caught in sudden crisis of loneliness and sexual inhibition go through a Period of Adjustment.
Creating the role of Ralph Bates is sophomore theater major Logan Sledge. Sledge was a German soldier in Bent, a TV personality in Red Scare on Sunset, the lead, Jerry, in subUrbia, a member of the chorus in Assassins and Oliver, and was last seen in Little Women as John Brooke.
Ralph Bates' army buddy, George Haverstick, is being played by sophomore theater major Steve Baker. Baker has appeared in Sweet Charity as the original boyfriend; as Rudy in Bent; as Michael Drake in Red Scare on Sunset; as John Wilkes Boothe in Assassins and in the chorus of Oliver. Steve has also appeared in productions at Bossier Parish of Camelot and at Eastbank in Anastasia.
Isobel Haverstick, the new wife of 24 hours, is being created by Megan Carter, a junior theater major, who has been seen at Marjorie Lyons in productions of subUrbia and Assassins. The role of Dorothea Bates, the wife who has left her husband after five years is being created by newcomer Prestina Williams, a Centenary communications major from Atlanta, Ga., making her stage debut.
Rounding out the cast of eight are Edward Allen and Birdie Stevens as Mr. and Mrs. McGillicuddy, the in-laws of Ralph Bates. Edward Allen has been seen at MLP in productions of Smile and Driving Miss Daisy--for which he received a Times Drama Award nomination. Birdie Stevens has appeared at MLP in productions of The Royal Family and The Women. Playing the McGillicuddy maid Susie, is Centenary sophomore dance major, LaVette Fuller. Jeremiah Stevens, a junior theater major, will create the role of the police officer.
Period of Adjustment by Tennessee Williams, plays at the Marjorie Lyons Playhouse on Nov. 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, and 23 with a curtain time of 8 p.m. There will be a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday, Nov. 24 and an 8:15 p.m. performance on Tuesday, Dec. 3, which will open the Louisiana College Theater Festival. Additionally, there will be a 7 p.m. preview performance on Wednesday, Nov. 13 with special-priced tickets at $3 each. Tickets for the regular run of Period of Adjustment are priced at $12 for adults; $10 for seniors 65 and older; $7.50 for students; and $5 for children 12 years of age and under. Please call the box office at 869-5242 between the hours of noon and 4 p.m. for information and reservations.
Don Hooper has designed the set and Patric McWilliams has designed the costumes. The lighting design is by Rik Ehmcke, sound design by Jeremiah Stevens, properties by Ryan Williams, and the Assistant to the Director is Brooks Ann Camper.
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