The time is finally arriving for “Terror By Gaslight” to make its debut at the Winder Community Theatre and the cast couldn’t be more excited. As Tech week drags on, we all know that Friday night is swiftly approaching. Oh the anticipation!
I am excited to say that I am a member of this incredible cast and very proud to be working with all these wonderful guys and dolls. This will be my first time in a Main Stage Show here in Winder and as I tell everyone, “it’s to die for!”
The story centers on Dr. Cyrus Norton, a notable and respectable doctor and surgeon in 1830s Philadelphia who wants to continue his work in anatomy and dissection to create an “anatomical museum” that he intends to dedicate to the university when it is completed. However, complications arise when he is forced to deal with grave-robbers, Scrubbs and Gin Hester, to get his cadavers. In the 19th Century only cadavers from the public gallows could be used for the purposes of dissection and with 15 schools of anatomy in Philadelphia, you can see how the demand for bodies is very high. Surgeons, like Norton, are forced to deal in illegal ways of procuring cadavers for their work. After a recently widowed woman, Mrs. Culp, spreads accusations of Dr. Norton working with grave-robbers, Detective Harrison is on the case.
I join the cast as Marilyn Norton, Dr. Norton’s dedicated daughter who wishes to become a surgeon just like her father, but such a notion is unheard of in this time. In a subplot, Aunt Constance tries to set Marilyn up with a handsome young Dr. Dover. So, this show isn’t a complete “terror” but I guarantee you it has some great plot twists and turns throughout.
Now I must say that — due to the nature of this show — it is not suitable for young children. It deals with intense subject matter (such as murder) and it can frighten small kids. If you’re looking for a good Halloween treat with the whole family, this isn’t the show. However if you want a night out with your spouse, I think you will thoroughly enjoy this production.
Everyone has been working extremely hard to make this show the best one yet. This is one of the first — or is the first — melodrama performed at the Winder Community Theatre, which is a remarkable feat. I must give kudos to Don Wildsmith and Pam Veader for the immaculate set — it is so authentic and the design is wonderful. And we finally got our gaslight on the stage, one of the best touches of detail. I won’t give anything else away but they did an outstanding job. Don told me on the day we moved the set to the stage that he wants this to be “the best set I’ve ever done.” He has had some very well crafted sets, but I think he’s correct with “Terror By Gaslight” being the best set yet.
We also have the lovely and talented Shannon Hayes (who plays Gin Hester) working on all the costumes with the help of Billie Nye-Muller. I need to brag on Shannon for a bit here. From day one she has been working on the costume designs for 12 different characters — and most of them have at least one costume change. She has been working so hard to get these costumes completed before dress rehearsal so that we can practice in them sooner and get used to moving in them. What she has done for this show is amazing, and I know I speak for the entire cast when I say thank you so much Shannon!
And now for our fearless leaders: directors Terri Duffield and Stephen Parker. Terri is an inspiration. For the first few weeks on rehearsal she was 9 months pregnant and she still came and directed us. The past few days Terri hasn’t been with us because she gave birth to her newest son Felix (Congratulations Terri!) but she has left us in good hands with Stephen who has been guiding us every step of the way this past week. The show must go on!
There is so much I can say about my cast members but so little space. All of us women are troopers for lacing up our corsets each night so we get as authentic as possible, and the men are getting used to suspenders, top hats, and gloves (seems like the women got the short end of the stick back then).
These characters are so fun and so varied. The always-phenomenal Elinor Hasty plays the deranged Mrs. Culp, Elizabeth Day as the adorable Opal, Karen Lowe as the lovable Constance, Shannon Hayes as the unsavory Gin Hester, Heather-Leigh Owens Nies as down-on-her-luck Kitty, and me as devoted Marilyn. For the men: Tom Heagy leads the show as the driven and somewhat eccentric Dr. Norton, Lee Sugarman as faithful friend Dr. Withers, Robert Stephens as aspiring surgeon Dr. Dover, Justin Patterson as the sneaky Leonard Scrubbs, Juan Berberena as ladies’ man Dr. Edward Daniels, and Troy Hensley as the curious Detective Harrison.
So come on out and see us if you’re looking for a good thrill! Shows are Oct. 28-29 at 7:30 p.m., Oct. 30 at 3 p.m., Nov. 4-5 at 7:30 p.m., and Nov. 6 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $12.50 in advance for adults, $15 at the door and $10 in advance for Seniors (55+), students and teachers, $13 at the door. Tickets can be purchased at Winder City Hall or Pam Veader’s State Farm Insurance Office.
We hope to see you there!
Jessica Brown is a photographer and columnist for the Barrow Journal. You can email her at jessica@barrowjournal.com
