Some events are so powerful that everyone remembers what they were doing when the moment came. One of those events is the 1986 Space Shuttle Challenger tragedy.
The Clarkston Village Players are taking a dramatic look at the events of that fateful day in ‘Defying Gravity,? written by Jane Anderson and presented by special arrangement with Samuel French Inc.The play focuses on the events leading up to and after the tragedy as seen through the eyes of bystanders and those involved in the shuttle flight.
The play begins just before that tragic day, and follows the experiences of Teacher (played by Jennifer Gentry), who became the first civilian astronaut; her daughter Elizabeth (Bec Mariotti); two tourists, Betty (Linda Mishler) and Ed (Ron Goatley); a NASA mechanic C.B. (Mel Case); and his girlfriend Donna (Karen McClellan).
Throughout many of the scenes, painter Claude Monet (Verne Vackaro) is present on stag and ties the experiences together with his own challenges from the previous century. The plays’s second act jumps forward in time to see how the characters changed.
Director Jamie Fish said a reoccurring theme within the play is mankind’s struggle against the ‘status quo? and our desire to reach beyond what we have known. Fish said the character of Monet acts as the presence of wisdom for the other characters as they offer their own perspective on the play’s events.
Fish said the characters of Betty and Ed represent the everyday people in America and supply the play’s comic relief.
‘Defying Gravity? is a first-time production for Producer JoAnn Sellers and Fish’s first chance for solo direction. Fish praised the cast of the show, which she worked with for the last five weeks in preparation.
‘They have freely shared their individual talents which has made my maiden directing job much easier. I loved the challenge of trying something new and hope to have another chance in the future,? said Fish.
Due to some language content, this play may not be suitable for children.
Show times are 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m. on Thursday and 2 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $12 for Friday and Saturday performances and $10 for Thursday and Sunday.
Tickets are available for purchase through www.clarkstonvillageplayers.org or by calling 248-625-2511. They are also available by leaving a message via the Clarkston Village Players ticket line at 248-625-8811. Tickets may be purchased at the door the night of the performance; however, availability can not be assured.
For more information, please visit the Web site or call 248-625-8811. The Clarkston Village Players and Depot Theatre are located at 4861 White Lake Road.