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Contact: David West
News Bureau
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497
(318) 357-6466
6/15/98
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NATCHITOCHES - An old saying is that "Timing is Everything." And the NSU Summer Dinner Theatre couldn't have chosen a better time to present the play "110 in the Shade" which opens June 22 and runs through July 1.
"110 in the Shade" is based on the hit play and award winning film "The Rainmaker" which starred Burt Lancaster and Katherine Hepburn.
The comedy is set in the West during a drought where a father and his two sons are more worried about their daughter/sister becoming an old maid than the cattle on their farm who are dying.
The brothers try every scheme they can imagine to marry off the girl without success. One day a man comes to them promising to bring rain for $100. The men agree to hire the engaging young man. The rainmaker turns his charm on the girl and rain comes along with love.
Members of the cast don't have to go far to imagine the setting for the play. The early June heat in north Louisiana feels like more than 100 degrees and for the last few weeks rain has been in short supply.
"We thought for a while we would have to advertise 'the only place you're in Louisiana to find rain is on our stage," said Jena Peevy of Broken Bow, Okla., who plays the female lead role of Lizzie.
Peevy will split the role with Shelly Colvin of Winnfield during the play's run.
"In rehearsal, we take turns in the role. Each of us do a scene," said Peevy. "We each have our own ideas about the character and add a bit to what is established. It may be a movement, a gesture or the way a line is read. We learn from each other. It just shows that there is not one way to do a character."
Peevy relates to Lizzie very easily. Like her character, she grew up helping with family duties such as cooking and cleaning.
"I know her well. She helps take care of her family and they take care of her," said Peevy. "I went through a lot of things she went through. At one time I had a problem with self-esteem, but with the help of my husband, I found it was there all along. Sometimes I think more with my head than with my heart. I can be stubborn that way."
Peevy had read the play before and saw "The Rainmaker." It immediately appealed to her.
"It has wonderful music, not just for the leads but for everyone. The choral music is well arranged," said Peevy. "And the story of how a woman can be transformed in a few days, how she can see the true beauty in herself is wonderful."
Peevy and her husband Alex are both involved in NSU's theatre program. They found out about Northwestern's theatre program when faculty member Ed Brazo choreographed a musical they had roles in.
"He told us Northwestern was the place to come to if you want to learn all aspects of theatre and he was right," said Peevy. "The quality here is amazing. There's no program like this in Oklahoma. You learn about drama, musical theatre, the technical end and other aspects. And you are taught by top-notch professors."
For ticket information on "110 in the Shade," call 357-6891.