The cast of "The Heidi Chronicles"

Eight Rider University student actors will bring the feminist movement to life next month during performances of “The Heidi Chronicles,” the Tony award-winning play by noted 20th century American playwright Wendy Wasserstein.

Rider’s production will run April 13, 14, 20 and 21 at 8 p.m. in The Yvonne Theater on the Lawrenceville campus. A preview performance will take place on Thursday, April 12 at 7 p.m. The production is intended for mature audiences.

Covering a time period of 25 years, the plot follows the fictitious Heidi Holland from high school in the 1960s to her career as a successful art historian. The main themes deal with the changing role of women during this time period, describing both Heidi’s ardent feminism during the 1970s and her eventual sense of disillusionment during the 1980s. Although most of the characters are women, two important male characters, her friends, Peter Patrone, a homosexual pediatrician, and Scoop Rosenbaum, a magazine editor, are an integral part of her life.

“All of the roles in ‘The Heidi Chronicles’ are very challenging,” said RaeAnn Banker, guest director. “Four of the actors play characters that age more than 20 years. The other four company members play several roles each.

“The actors confront a lot of complex emotional situations in authentic and humorous ways,” added Banker. “A strong sense of humanity resonates. Although Heidi faces many challenges, she never gives up. The challenge is to find the truth and humor in each scene and move immediately to the next one.”

The Rider cast consists of Kerry Bowers of Deptford, a junior fine arts major, as Heidi Holland; Rachel Yucht of Teaneck, a junior fine arts major/dance minor, as Susan Johnston; Danny Lane of Staten Island, a senior fine arts major and acting scholar, as Peter Patrone; Joe Sabatino of Burlington, a junior fine arts major, as Scoop Rosenbaum; Erin Ludwig of Ewing, a junior journalism major, as Fran, Molly, Betsy and April; Joanne Nosuchinsky of Freehold, a freshman fine arts major and acting scholar, as Becky, Denise and Clara; Nikki Wittenburg of Park Ridge, a freshman fine arts/English major with a minor in dance, as Jill, Debbie and Lisa; and Mike Capuano of Deptford, a sophomore fine arts major, as Chris Boxer, Mark, Steve, Waiter and Ray.

Working with the director are Michael Hollinshead of Hillsborough, a sophomore communication major, assistant director, and Jessica Gallicchio of Westmont, a freshman fine arts major, stage manager.

“If the audience leaves the theater talking about the themes in the play, that’s wonderful,” said Banker. “If they consider ways bias limits everyone, so much the better.”

Tickets are $10 for the general public and $5 for students, faculty and staff. Tickets for the preview performance are $4, and are only available at the door. For more information or to purchase tickets for the regular performances, call the box office at 609-896-5303.

Previous Story | Next Story

Return to Newswire