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auditions and volunteering

Valparaiso by Don DeLillo directed by Miriam Frazier

October 5—8 and October 12—14

Valparaiso by Don DeLillo presents an absurdist view of accidental celebrity

caused by travel plans gone askew and exploited to the point where

triviality, unreality, and “news” are thoroughly confused.

There are parts for 7 actors (various ages/genders).

Auditions for this production will be held:

Thursday, August 17th, 6:30—8:30 pm and

Saturday, August 19th, 1:00—3:00 pm

The June M. McBroom Theatre, Community High School

302 Campbell Avenue SE, Roanoke, VA 24013

Off the Rails Theatre is always looking for the next great

volunteer! If you are interested in any aspect of creating

theatre—from acting to building sets to putting up

posters—please contact us. Welcome aboard!

with thanks to our donors

Terry Arnold

Kirk Ballin

Paul G Beers

Jeanne H Bernard

Philip Bernard

Jackie Boyd

Milton Brooks

Clare & Dan Callaghan

Sharon Capps

Dorothy S. (Dotsy) Clifton

Jerry Cook

Judith Curtis

Nancy Dahlstrom

Gates Dehart

Michelle & Richard Derrico

Barbara M. Dickinson

Moody DeVaux

Bill Doughty

Roy P. Dwyer

Curry Fisher

Miriam Frazier

Ruth Frazier & B.J. Burnette

Irene Guy

Kathy Guy

Amitav Hajra

Patrick Kennerly

MaryJean Redon Levin

Paula Levin

Edwin R. Lilly, JR

Edwin A. Lister

Ernie & Kim Littlefield

Joan J. Long

David McCall

Dorry & Mac McCorckle

Yvonne Olson & Charles Hall

Norman & Paula Prince

Sarah Rubush

Walton I. Rutherford

Rachel Sailer

Kitty Schear

Jean A. Smith

Kris Sorenson

Mrs Cameron B. Srpan

John & Evelyn Tielking

Kathy VanNess

Roger Wilson

Ernie Zulia

Norfolk Southern Foundation

and to our community partners

about the playwright

Marsha Norman is an American playwright,

screenwriter and novelist. She received the

1983 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for her play

‘night, Mother. She wrote the book and lyrics for

such Broadway musicals as The Secret Garden,

for which she won a Tony Award and the

Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Book of a

Musical, and The Red Shoes, as well as the

libretto for the musical The Color Purple and

the book for the musical The Bridges of Madison

County.

Norman's works for television and film include

the film version of ‘night, Mother. She has written

the television films Face of a Stranger (1991), A Cooler Climate (1999),

Custody of the Heart (2000), and The Audrey Hepburn Story (2000). She has

written screenplays for episodes of the HBO series In Treatment.

Norman currently serves on the faculty of the Juilliard School in New York

City, and is Vice-President of the Dramatists Guild of America. She was

honored at the 2011 William Inge Festival for Distinguished Achievement

in the American Theatre.

the cast

Miriam Frazier (Mama) Miriam Frazier has been involved in

OtRT in a variety of capacities since its inception. She is

grateful to have had the chance to work on this very

challenging show. She gives her heartfelt thanks to her fellow

actress, her director, stage manager and amazing designers.

Salena Marie Sullivan (Jessie) Salena is excited to be back on

the stage with Off the Rails Theatre. She was previously seen

on the OtRT stage as Valentine in Arcadia and also in Doubt

and Middletown. Thank you for coming to see the show

and please enjoy!

‘night, Mother is presented by special arrangement

with Dramatists Play Service.

Originally produced on Broadway by Dann Byck, Wendell Cherry,

The Shubert Organization and Frederick Zollo.

Original production directed by Tom Moore.

Originally produced by The American Repertory Theatre, Cambridge, MA.

a play by Marsha Norman presents

CAST

Thelma Cates (Mama)

Jessie Cates

Fall 1983, in the home of Thelma and Jessie Cates.

THE PLAY WILL BE PERFORMED WITHOUT INTERMISSION.

PRODUCTION AND DESIGN

Director

Rachel Sailer

Stage Manager

Kathy Guy

Set/Lighting Design

Rob Bessolo

Set Construction

Assistance

Rob Bessolo, Kathy Guy,

Joey Neighbors,

Melissa Webster

Costumes

Melissa Webster

Props and

Set Dressing

Sarah Halstead

SPECIAL THANKS AND NOTES

Miriam Frazier

Salena Marie Sullivan

Off the Rails Theatre wishes to give special thanks to:

Community High School for the Arts, The Jefferson Center, The Hollins Theatre

Institute, Mill Mountain Theatre, Roanoke College, and Barry Webster.

Please be aware that the sound of a gunshot is used in this production.

‘night, Mother

I love all kinds of plays and movies, but the stories that appeal to me the most involve complicated characters dealing with each other in

difficult situations. This is why I love ‘night, Mother.

An adult woman and her mother deal with the daughter’s decision to

kill herself. The play has many of the characteristics associated with a

classic tragedy: likeable but flawed characters, unity of time, place and

action, and inevitability. Am I giving away the ending? No. In tragedies

the pathos comes from watching the unwinding towards the inevitable

conclusion.

I also like a story that moves me. It might make me laugh, cry, think, or

all three.

Marsha Norman has given us a moving story.

- Rachel

from the director production team

Joey Neighbors (Set Design/Build) Joey has been in the theatre all his life. He has

worked on productions all over the Southeast and Northeast United States. He has his

BFA from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. Along with his work with

Off the Rails Theatre, he also works with Opera Roanoke, Southwest Virginia Ballet, Opera

on the James in Lynchburg, Roanoke Children’s Theatre and Annapolis Opera in

Annapolis MD. He has owned his own business for 19 years, Neighbors Handyman &

Custom Carpentry and Star City Sets, doing small remodeling/repair jobs, tile work, and

custom built-in’s and Sets for Opera and Theatre Companies. His joy in life is his family.

Melissa Webster (Costume Design) has been handling costumes

for Off the Rails Theatre for several seasons now. She started her

professional career in wardrobe at Mill Mountain Theatre in the late

90’s and graduated from Longwood College (now University) with a

BFA in Technical. Melissa and her family also volunteer and work at

the Jefferson Center backstage and front of house. Melissa sits on

the board of Off the Rails Theatre as well as the Roanoke Skatepark

Initiative. She and her family also volunteer for the Roanoke Greek

Festival every September.

Rachel Sailer After 30 wonderful years at Salem High School,

Rachel has retired as their drama teacher and director. She was

delighted to have the opportunity to direct night, Mother for

Off the Rails Theatre, a theatre company dear to her heart. Rachel

directed over 100 productions for Salem City Schools, including

everything from one-acts to large musicals. The last time she

directed adults was for Showtimers’ first production of The

Foreigner starring Doug Patterson. She feels Roanoke is a great

place for a retired drama teacher, offering so many theatrical

opportunities. She enjoys acting for Off the Rails Theatre and the

Hollins new plays program.

DOWNTOWN ROANOKE

DISCOUNT

Dine at a Downtown Roanoke

restaurant and get

$2 off your ticket price! Just show us your receipt.

Bon appetit! `

show

D I N N E R

and a

special offers

open dialogue

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Like to talk about theatre? So do we!

This “tiny but tenacious” theatre company welcomes

new faces, thoughtful feedback and positive suggestions,

and supportive and discerning artistic discussion.

Share your thoughts with us!