April 21, 2005 – Sylvia Bierschenk

SFA presents 'The Member of the Wedding'

NACOGDCOHES, TEXAS - The Stephen F. Austin State University Department of Theatre will present Carson McCullers' "The Member of the Wedding" at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 26, through Saturday, April 30, in W. M. Turner Auditorium.

The play's title might lead someone to believe the main character is a bridesmaid or groomsman, but the drama actually focuses on the groom's 12-year-old sister, Frankie Addams, who is trying to find her own place in the world.

Liane Moffat, British exchange student who is playing Frankie, said it's easy for her to remember the discomfort of being 12.

"You're confused and self-conscious and want answers about the world and who you're going to be that nobody can answer for you," Moffat said.

Many of Frankie's questions are posed to the Addams' housekeeper, Berenice Sadie Brown, played by Stefanie Fullbright, Humble junior. Berenice serves as a sounding board and advisor for the motherless girl and Frankie's 7-year-old cousin John Henry, played by Nacogdoches fifth grader, Steely Jocis.

During the course of the drama's three acts, the audience meets other people in Frankie's life--neighbors, family members and friends--who are also trying to discover where they fit in society.

For instance, Arlington sophomore Thomas Brazzle, who plays Honey Camdem Brown, said his character struggles against racial oppression. Houston senior Ken Franks said his character, Frankie's father, learns some important lessons about a man's duty as a father and as a friend.

"All of the characters have their own 'through-line,' said Brazzle. "They all grow throughout the show and have a revelation. It makes the story so rich and honest," he continued.

McCullers' story, set in a small southern town in 1945, was first published as a book in 1946, and she then adapted it to the stage. It ran successfully on Broadway from 1950 to 1951, receiving two Donaldson Awards and the New York Drama Critics' Prize for the best American play of the 1950 season.

Jack Heifner, SFA playwright-in-residence, directs the SFA production which is a joint presentation of the SFA College of Fine Arts and the Department of Theatre. It is sponsored in part by Tipton Ford.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for seniors and students. For tickets or more information, please visit www.finearts.sfasu.edu or call (936) 468-6407 or 888-240-ARTS.