(April 11, 2013)

Marjorie Lyons Playhouse presents Picnic

SHREVEPORT, LA — The Centenary Theatre Department invites the community to take a step back in time and experience William Inge's Pulitzer Prize-winning drama Picnic at Marjorie Lyons Playhouse, April 18-21. This production beautifully portrays a slice of life in a sleepy little Midwestern town, steeped in all the trappings of 1950's Americana. Amidst the backdrop of this peaceful community, Inge exposes the deep passions and harsh betrayals that lurk just below the surface of a small Kansas town.

The story begins with preparations for the neighborhood's annual Labor Day picnic. When a young drifter comes into town and stirs up the emotions of the small-town beauty Madge Owens, we watch as the town's friendships are pushed to the limits. Picnic features senior Andrew Wood as the dangerous Hal and junior Chelsea Hockaday as the lovely dreamer Madge. Also among the rich array of characters populating this town are Centenary students Abigail Dillard as Christine, Jordan Fell as Flo, Ashley Frisbee as Millie, Cassandra Hermes as Rosemary, Regina Price as Irma, Josh Rabalais as Howard, Sandy Rather as Helen, Jonathan Slocum as Bomber, and Clint White as Alan. C.L. "Kip" Holloway will direct this seminal drama.

Picnic opens Thursday, April 18, and runs for one weekend only with performances April 18-20 at 8:00 p.m. and a closing matinee on Sunday, April 21, at 2:00 p.m. Standard ticket prices are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and military, $10 for children under 12 and non-Centenary College students with a valid ID.

Tickets can be reserved online or by leaving a message with the box office at 318.869.5242. The Marjorie Lyons Playhouse is located on Wilkinson Street between Woodlawn Avenue and Alexander Street.