Dep’t of Theatre Arts produces “The Good Times are Killing Me”
Courtesy of GCC&M
Gettysburg College’s Department of Theatre Arts and the Owl & Nightingale Players student group will present Lynda Barry’s “The Good Times are Killing Me” Nov. 8-12.
Performances in Brua Hall’s Kline Theatre, located on North Washington Street, will take place at 7:30 p.m. except for Sunday, Nov. 11’s matinee at 2 p.m. Admission is free of charge, but reservations are required for Nov. 9 and 10. The ticket office can be reached at 717-337-6060.
Barry’s play, a semi-autobiographical comedic drama, “brilliantly captures the goofy sweet-seriousness of kids on the brink of adulthood. I hope the audience will laugh a lot and maybe cry a little too. It’s just that kind of play,” director and theatre arts Prof. Susan Russell said. “I call it a ‘poignant comedy.’ The two main characters, Edna and Bonna, are twelve-year-old girls and as such, they do a lot of goofy kid things. But it’s also poignant because they’re trying to negotiate the world of the mid-1960s when society is being rocked by forces way larger than themselves.”
The cast includes Emilie Woods as Edna Arkins, Cassie Gallo as Lucy Arkins, Rachel Marinello as Mrs. Arkins, Jeremy Savage as Mr. Arkins, Norma Dyer as Bonna Willis, Avery Lentz as Mr.Willis/Elvin Willis, Carolyn Castillo as Mrs. Willis/Kimmy, Kate Forton as Aunt Margaret, James Granderson as Uncle Don, Andrew Gorelick as Cousin Steve, Kierstan Devoe as Cousin Ellen, Sioban McIlhoney as Sharon/Mrs. Doucette, Kyra McFadden as Aunt Martha/Jackie, Wes Jackson as Reverend/Marcus/Earl Stelly,Dorian Jones as Bonita/Kimmy, Emily Resch as Theresa Doucette and Samantha Mathews as Mrs. Hosey/Mrs. Mercer.
“We have such a terrific cast for this production,” said Russell. “Theatre is a fantastic place to build friendships and community. We get together, we laugh and we play. We all depend on each other and it’s an awesome experience.”
