Painting Churches, an award-winning play by Tina Howe now on stage at the Ephraim Village Hall produced by Isadoora Theatre Company from May 13-16 and 20-23.
Editor’s note: On Thursday, May 13 I attended the opening night performance and included the following comments in our Friday e-news…
It’s a lot of fun to get old, really! I get to see my humble friends become famous, some wealthy, some saintly – even if it’s only for what seems like a Warhol 15-seconds-of-fame moment. That theme echoes throughout Isadoora’s production of “Painting Churches” now on stage in Ephraim. The star performance by aging actor, Richard Ooms is nothing short of brilliantly electric – not to slight the great work by Amy Ensign and Renee Kujawski who complete the cast. Go see director John Wilson‘s successful efforts to deliver a really great play. It will leave you thinking… as expected with any work by Isadoora Theatre Company.
presented by Isadoora Theatre Company
Painting Churches is a semi-autobiographical story that honors and analyzes its subjects in a captivating collage of resonant drama, poignant revelations and hearty, life-inspired laughs. The portrait for which the play is named exists both on canvas and in the lovingly sketched portrayals of its three characters: an aging couple, Fanny and Gardner Church, preparing to leave the Boston townhouse they’ve lived in for decades; and their daughter Margaret, a painter on the verge of artistic celebrity who comes home to help them pack up.
Isadoora is excited to announce the addition of Richard Ooms to the cast. Ooms takes over the part of Gardner for local actor Merv Massey, who was forced to withdraw from the role due to unforeseen circumstances.
“We are extremely appreciative to Merv for his work on the show and are privileged to have an actor step in who just recently played the role with another company,” says Isadoora Board President Joy Manweiler. “We’re thrilled to have Richard on our stage.”
Door County audiences will recognize Ooms, a member of the Actors’ Equity Association, from his multiple appearances in Door Shakespeare shows.
Local actors Amy Ensign (Margaret) and Renee Kujawski (Fanny) round out the cast of the three-person show. Ensign, also appearing professionally with Door Shakespeare for that company’s past three seasons, has played multiple roles for Isadoora, including her 2007 portrayal of Laura in The Glass Menagerie. Kujawski was last seen with Isadoora in the company’s May 2009 production of Wit, in which she played the lead role of Vivan Bearing. John Wilson makes his directorial debut with Isadoora and was last seen onstage for the company in the fall 2008 production of Sideman.
Painting Churches will run May 13-16 and 20-23 at the Ephraim Village Hall, located at 9996 Water Street in Ephraim. Thursday through Saturday performances are at 7:30 pm with a matinee on each Sunday at 2 pm. Tickets are $14 for adults and $10 for students and may be reserved in advance by calling Isadoora at 920.493.3667.
The mission of Isadoora Theatre Company is to celebrate theatre through its basic elements of movement, music, story and thought. Isadoora Theatre provides theatrical experiences of intellectual integrity fulfilled by open self-examination and artistic risk for the educational and cultural enrichment of our community. Visit www.isadoora.com to discover more about them!
