The Shadow Box

By Michael Cristofer

Directed by Cynthia Welling

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. For most of the play, the interviewer is unseen, which means that characters speak directly to the members of the audience, as if they were the interviewer. The first dying person is Joe, a middle-aged, blue-collar family man. Joe seems well-adjusted, and has accepted that he is dying. However, his wife Maggie is in denial, and has not told their son Steve about his father's condition. The second dying person is Brian, a bisexual English professor. He's being cared for by his lover, Mark. They receive a visit from Brian's flamboyant, slightly trashy ex-wife Beverly. Beverly's presence lifts Brian's spirits, but rankles Mark. The final dying person is Felicity, an elderly, cantankerous, somewhat senile woman, who is cared for by her long-suffering daughter Agnes. Felicity is in great pain, but refuses to die, because she remains hopeful that her favorite daughter, Claire, will return to her soon.

Produced by Wisconsin Rapids Community Theatre, Inc. at Gilbert & Jaylee Mead Auditorium, 220 3rd Avenue South, Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54495

Performances: February 25 - March 5, 2011

Performance Times: Performances are at 7:30 p.m., except the Sunday matinee, which is at 2:00 p.m.

Ticket Prices: $15

Call TBA for reservations or more information.