Ah Wilderness!
Dates & Times
- Friday May 2nd, 2008 at 8:00pm
- Saturday May 3rd, 2008 at 8:00pm
- Sunday May 4th, 2008 at 2:00pm
- Friday April 25th, 2008 at 8:00pm
- Saturday April 26th, 2008 at 8:00pm
- Sunday April 27th, 2008 at 2:00pm
O’Neill won three Pulitzer Prizes before he wrote his 28th play and only comedy, “Ah Wilderness!” about the family he wished he had. Set in 1906 in New Haven, Conn., it tells the story of 16-year-old Richard Miller and his obsession: the sumptuous language of exotic poetry. Spurned by his true love, Muriel McComber, on the Fourth of July, Richard sets out on a rebellious adventure into an adult world. Gin Fizzes and the amorous cunning of a local tart bring his loyal family to the rescue.
Richard’s father, Nat, is a newspaper editor who may dither about explaining the facts of life to his son but who stands up for him when it counts; and the family also includes his mother, Essie; his spinster aunt, Lily Miller; and alcoholic uncle, Sid Davis.
“Ah Wilderness is about love, family ties and one boy’s sweet but determined quest for independence and truth,” Rogow says. “Despite the fact that this play takes place over a hundred years ago, it feels very modern. The seduction of text messaging, video games and the internet were not a concern then, but the perils of a modern world and its grip on teenagers were. Today’s parents can identify with Nat and Essie Miller’s worries and see the humor in life’s difficulties.”
Theatergoers will also have an opportunity to peruse a lobby display of period photographs put together by the Rochester Historical Society.
Cast Members
- Graham Leathers Arthur Miller
- Tom McElhaney Bartender
- Christine Meagher Belle
- Robert Melik Finkle David McComber
- Cari Burkard Essie Miller
- Elaine Cissi Lily Miller
- Eryn Smith Mildred Miller
- Hannah Doughty Muriel McComber
- Greg Crawford Nat Miller
- Jeremy Seeger Producer
- Doug Kingsbury Richard Miller
- Ferron Griffin Salesman
- Scott Rotman Syd Davis
- Abraham Doughty Tommy Miller
- David Crowley Wint Selby