Spring Show - May 3-18, 2024
the effect of gamma rays on man-in-the-moon marigolds
playwright
paul zindel
Director
Adam Cunningham
Producer
holly biracree
cast
Tillie: Violet Chamberlin
Janice Vickery: Nadiene Hanson-Metayer
Beatrice: Linda Iannuzzi
Nanny: Louise J. Mueller
Ruth: Nathalie Stapleton
synopsis:
The play revolves around a dysfunctional family consisting of single mother Beatrice and her two daughters, Ruth and Tillie, who try to cope with their abysmal status in life. The play is a lyrical drama, reminiscent of Tennessee Williams' style.
Shy Matilda Hunsdorfer, nicknamed Tillie, prepares an experiment involving marigolds raised from seeds exposed to radioactivity for her science fair. She is, however, constantly thwarted by her mother Beatrice, who is self-centered and abusive, and by her extroverted and unstable sister Ruth, who submits to her mother's will. Over the course of the play, Beatrice constantly tries to stamp out any opportunities Tillie has of succeeding, due to her own lack of success in life. As the play progresses, the paths of the three characters diverge: Ruth has a nervous collapse while attempting to stand up to Beatrice, who, driven to the verge of insanity by her deep-seated enmity, impulsively kills the girls' pet rabbit Peter and wallows in her own perceived insignificance. Tillie meanwhile (much like her project's deformed yet beautiful, hardy marigolds) wins the science fair through sheer perseverance.
Beatrice - Tillie & Ruth’s mother
Tillie – quiet and introverted
Janice Vickery – Tillie’s rival at the science fair
Nanny – elder boarder in the household
Ruth – Tillie’s older sister
CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS & AUDITION SIDES
Play and Character Descriptions
Side 1 - Tillie Monologue
Side 2 - Tillie, Beatrice
Side 3 - Ruth, Beatrice, Tillie
Side 4 - Beatrice, Nanny, Tillie
Side 5 - Ruth, Beatrice, Tillie
Side 6 - Tilly, Ruth
Side 7 - Janice Vickery monologue
Side 8 - Beatrice Monologue