Crimes of the Heart

at: St. Mane Theatre

Lanesboro, MN ? The Commonweal Theatre Company presents Crimes of the Heart by Beth Henley, April 7 through July 1, 2007 with a $10 preview on April 6. Call the box office at 800-657-7025 or visit the Commonweal online at www.commonwealtheatre.org for exact performance dates and times.


This will be the last Commonweal production to close in the St. Mane Theatre before the company begins operations in its new theatre facility next door. ?It seems only fitting that we return to the play that opened the Commonweal?s first season in 1989,? said Commonweal Executive Director Hal Cropp.


Beth Henley won the Pulitzer Prize in 1981 for this warm-hearted portrayal of three very different sisters struggling to make sense of their lives. There is responsible Lenny, who has sacrificed herself to care for their ailing grandfather; carefree Meg, who left behind her family and lover to pursue a (failed) singing career; and the newly rebellious Babe, who faces prison for shooting her abusive husband.


The trio's reunion in their hometown of Hazlehurst, Mississippi triggers a mix of conflicts, crises and revelations. In the end, these three women learn to greet the tragic, absurd twists of fate with courage, love and the ultimate saving grace of laughter.


Viterbo University?s David Gardiner returns to the Commonweal at the artistic helm of the production after directing Dracula in 2002. Appearing in that production as Harker was Eric Graves, who is returning in the role of Meg?s former flame, Doc Porter.


Sisters Meg and Babe Magrath are played by Stef Dickens and Stela Burdt, respectively. The cast also includes Commonweal Resident Company Members Jill Underwood as Lenny



Commonweal Theatre Company

Crimes of the Heart, p.2


Magrath and Adrienne Sweeney as Chick Boyle, the sisters? meddlesome cousin. Playing Babe?s enthusiastic young lawyer, Barnette Lloyd, is Twin Cities-based actor and newcomer to the Commonweal, Jerome Yorke.


Another Commonweal newcomer is stage manager April Brown, who recently earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Arkansas State University. She leads the production team consisting of Kate Sutton-Johnson (set), Debi Neville (costume), Jenna Bolland (properties), and Andy Waltzer (sound).


On Saturday, April 7, there will be a free opening night reception at 6:30 p.m. at Cornucopia Art Center in Lanesboro. The Commonweal will host a post-show celebration in their box office next to the theatre.


Thanks to support from F&M Community Bank, special weekday matinee performances are available for school groups at only $3 per person which includes a study guide and pre-show workshop with the actors. Study guides and actor-led discussions are also available to any group of ten or more attending a public performance as part of Commonweal?s Theatre with Friends.



All performances are at the St. Mane Theatre, 206 Parkway Avenue North in downtown Lanesboro. Ticket prices are $25, with discounts available for students, groups, and Fillmore and Houston county residents. There will be a sign language interpreted performance on Sunday June 10 with half-price tickets for the hearing impaired.


For ticket reservations, call 800-657-7025 or 507-467-2905 or email tickets@commonwealtheatre.org. Information about all Commonweal events and programs can be found at www.commonwealtheatre.org.