Bobbi Biron Theatre Program Presents Welcome to Freeman February 9-13

SALISBURY, MD---An experiment in playmaking starts the new year for Salisbury State University's Bobbi Biron Theatre Program. Welcome to Freeman is a one-act inspired by Mary Wilkins Freeman's "The Revolt of Mother," her most popular short story. Set in a New England village at the end of the 19th century, a farm wife reacts unexpectedly to her husband's plans for a new barn.

A work-in-progress, actors and director/adapter Richard Culver experiment in transforming a piece of literature into a stage play. "Because it is a work-in-progress, there are no sets, costumes, props or music. The emphasis is on creating a script," he said.

This production grew out of Culver's involvement with the BMI Musical Theatre Workshop in New York some four years ago. Looking around for an idea for a musical, he spoke to friends who suggested the Freeman short story. Although he very much liked the story, he never completed a draft. Then, last summer SSU Theatre Director Paul Pfeiffer suggested he revive the idea as a staged reading or workshop as part of SSU's experimental Studio Series. "Seeing Pfeiffer's own play being done by the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford, England that summer, and how it too was undergoing changes helped allay any fears," said Culver. "For me right now the idea is progress, not perfection.

"BMI instructors prefer that a libretto follow certain guidelines and they were used in this translation to the stage. We'll talk about these during a question-and-answer session afterward with the audience," said Culver. The one-act itself is 45 minutes long.

After changes are made following audience suggestions, the revised script will go back to the BMI Workshop for the next step involving a composer/lyricist.

Cast members include SSU students Allison Davis, Andrew Levin and John Moller, faculty Karen Rayne of English and Dean Defino of the Math/Computer Science departments, Kelley Rouse of WMDT-TV and Donald Atkinson of Salisbury.

Performances are Wednesday-Saturday, February 9-12, at 8 p.m. and Sunday, February 13, at 2 p.m. in the Fulton Hall Theatre. Tickets are $5 general admission, $3 students and senior citizens. For reservations call 410-543-6228.