Stonehill Theatre Company (STC) Productions: 1980s
Fall 1989
La Ronde by Arthur Schnitzier
Directed by Patricia H. Sankus
This seriocomic play expresses the feeling of nervous tension, self-searching and sad futility behind the scintillating social façade of turn-of-the-century Vienna.
The play focuses on the behavior of both men and women immediately before and after the act of physical lovemaking without love and tenderness, reducing all human relationships to physical pleasure and manipulative power plays. The play is a vivid portrayal of the manners and morals of Schnitzler's society, which in turn mirrors the ambiguous morality of our own.
Spring 1989
Tom Paine by Paul Foster
Directed by Patricia H. Sankus
Tom Paine centers around the revolutionary figure of Thomas Paine (1737-1809), most commonly recognized as the author of Common Sense and The Rights of Man.
When Tom Paine premiered in the 1960's, it was hailed as a striking piece of avant-garde theatre. Using masks, mannequins, electric music and special lighting, this ensemble production reflects the chaos and uncertainty of political life both then and now.
Fall 1988
A Clearing in the Woods by Arthur Laurent
Directed by Patricia H. Sankus
A Clearing In The Woods depicts the troubled life of a young woman, Virginia, who is tormented with memories of the past. She is trying to find a "clearing in the woods" and discover the place where her pain began.
Phantoms from various stages in her life weave in and out of the "clearing" in different phases of conflict. With a lyrical, linguistic style, the author leads his heroine to confront those who shape one's life in order to understand and forgive.
Spring 1988
Squaring the Circle by Valentine Kataev
Directed by Gary Chipps
Squaring the Circle is a comedy of young love under the trying conditions of a housing shortage in the new Russia. The serious-minded Vasya and his more lighthearted friend Abram, share a rundown room loaned to them by a poet. Both men marry on the same day, unbeknown to each other and the room for two must now serve four. After the initial mix-ups and hysterics are cleared up, the two couples and the poet settle down. Abram and Vasya develop feelings for each others' wives and by the final act the mismatched couples finally change partners.
Fall 1987
The Diviners by James Leonard, Jr.
Directed by Patricia H. Sankus
The Diviners is set in rural Indiana during the Great Depression, among people of little education and less sophistication. The central character is an adolescent boy who has brain-damage after a near-drowning experience as a child. The experience has left Buddy Layman an innocent but boundlessly curious mind. He becomes friends with C.C. Showers a disillusioned, out-of-work preacher. The plot revovles around the heartwarming friendship between Buddy and C.C.
Spring 1987
Chekov in Yalta by John Driver and Jeffrey Haddow
Directed by Patricia H. Sankus
Set in April of 1900, Chekov is confined to his villa at Yalta by illness. He is unable to see the productions of his plays in Moscow due to his sickness, so in April he receives a delightful visit by the Moscow Art Theatre. They have embarked on a provincial tour with the express purpose of persuading Chekhov to give them his latest play. The play is criss crossed with amorous triangles, battles of ego, high spirits and melancholic languor reminiscent of Chekhov's work.
Fall 1986
Equus by Peter Shaffer
Directed by Patricia H. Sankus
Equus' plot centers on a violent act committed by a disturbed young man, Alan Strang. Alan has blinded five horses with a hoof pick, resulting in a psychological puzzle which Dr. Dysart, the court appointed psychiatrist, must untangle. The psychiatrist's attempt to alleviate the boy's pain and uncover the reasons for the action leads to complex and disturbing confrontations. The play presents an ancient and though provoking view of a man's need to worship and the distortions forced on that need by modern society.
Spring 1986
Rashomon adapted by Faye and Michael Kanin
Directed by Patricia H. Sankus
Rashomon is a play adapted from the short stories of Ryunosuke Akutagawa. The plot centers in on a samurai who has been found dead. A court is convened to try his apparent murderer. In a series of flashbacks, different characters present their various testimonies. The "facts" of the samurai's murder and the rape of his wife become more and more ambiguous during the course of the drama.
Fall 1985
Hayfever by Noel Coward
Directed by Patricia H. Sankus
Hayfever takes place in the comfortable, but untidy home of the charmingly eccentric Bliss family. Judith, the mother, is a retired stage actress for whom all the world is, indeed a stage; David, the father, is a romantic novelist. Their grown children, Simon and Sorel, live at home with them. One weekend, each family member announces that they are expecting a guest. When the guests arrive however, they receive an unusual and rude reception. The guests end up pairing off with different members of the family. The play continues with one hilarious scene after antoher as the family becomes more eccentric and guests more bewildered.
Spring 1985
The Shadow Box by Michael Christofer
Directed by Patricia H. Sankus
The play revolves around a trio of terminally ill patients, each of whom lives in a separate cottage at a hospice. Each is being interviewed about the process of dying. Joe a middle-aged, blue-collar family man seems well-adjusted, and has accepted that he is dying. The second is Brian, a bisexual English professor. The third is Felicity, an elderly, cantankerous, somewhat senile woman. Felicity is in great pain, but refuses to die, because she remains hopeful that her favorite daughter, Claire, will return to her soon.
Fall 1984
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
Directed by Patricia H. Sankus
Initially published in 1890, Oscar Wilde's novel The Picture of Dorian Gray was met with general critical outrage.
The story revolves around a handsome young man, Dorian Gray, who finds himself enthralled by the beauty of his portrait. He makes a fateful wish: that he might remain young while his portrait grows old. This wish granted brings interesting dramatic events for Dorian and the cast as a whole.
Stonehill's production was enhanced by MIT's advanced Visual Studies Department. Competed in ATCF
Spring 1984
The Contrast by Royall Tyler
Directed by Patricia H. Sankus
The Contrast dramatizes the personality and attitude differences in the people of post-revolutionary America. Set in New York City, the plot is a love circle of four women and four men, all yearning to be with one another. The elegant Mr. Dimple chases characters Maria, Leticia and Charlotte. However, Maria longs for Manly who has feelings back for her, however Leticia is also in the chase for Manly. Jessamy, a servant, loves the "culturally confused" Jenny, who is also adored by Jonathan, Manly's servant. The crazy mix ups are in good humor and unfold with charming songs among the six characters.
Fall 1983
Lydie Breeze by John Guare
Directed by Patricia H. Sankus
The play begins on a deserted Nantucket beach in 1875 where the young Joshua Hickman awaits the return of his wife, Lydie, who has been off-island on a nursing assignment. When Dan Grady a former friend returns unexpectedly with an enormous amount of money that can make their dreams come true, the action quickens. As the old passion between Lydie and Dan is revived the jealous Joshua kills his rival. Moving from comedy to melodrama to tragic destiny as it untangles the twisted strands of their lives.
Spring 1983
Scenes from an American Life by A.R. Gurney
Directed by Patricia H. Sankus
Gurney presents "scenes" from American life that begin in the 1930's and span through the future. Though the costuming and basic look of the show is quite formal, the real subject of the play is nothing less than the coming of fascism to America in the near future. Without being didactic or preachy-indeed, by being often quite funny-the play presents a political subtext which bind us in a lasting and intelligent story.
Fall 1982
The Lady's Not for Burning by Christopher Fry
Directed by Patricia H. Sankus
A romantic comedy set in the Middle Ages, the focus is Thomas, a recently discharged soldier who visits the Mayor's house wishing to be hanged. Instead he becomes embroiled in a messy dispute between the mayor's nephews, Humphrey and Nicholas, who are fighting over the right to marry Alizon. Accused witch Jennet is also caught up in the dispute and she declares her love for Thomas after they spend time in jail together discussing their disgust with humanity. The play's conclusion challenges societal norms and propriety.
Spring 1982
Two Gentlemen of Verona adapted by John Guare & Mel Shapiro
Directed by Patricia H. Sankus
Adapted from the Shakespearean comedy of the same name, the rock musical focuses on lifelong friends Proteus and Valentine. The two men leave their hometown to experience urban life in Milan and Valentine falls in love with the engaged Sylvia. Proteus also falls in love and decides to defy Valentine and his lady back home by exposing his friend's plans to Sylvia's father.
Fall 1981
The Rimers of Eldritch by Lanford Wilson
Directed by Patricia H. Sankus
Set in the dying Midwestern town of Eldritch, the play examines a community's reaction to rape, lies, and murder. While an unrelated murder trial is underway, the townspeople must also address the sexual assault of a young girl. Overlapping dialogue makes the people of Eldritch the real focus of the play.
Spring 1981
When You Comin' Back, Red Ryder? by Mark Medoff
Directed by Patricia H. Sankus
Set in Foster's diner at a New Mexico rest stop that lost most of its clientele when a new highway was built, the play tells the story of the mundane lives of Foster's employees. The daily grind is interrupted when two couples arrive and bring with them illegal drugs and guns into the mix. Teddy, a member of the new entourage, holds everyone hostage in the diner and inflicts physical, emotional, and mental torture.