MARSHFIELD -  “Crimes of the Heart,” Beth Henley’s Pulitzer Prize-winning comedy, will be performed by Campus Community Players at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 21-22 and 28-29, in the Helen Connor Laird Theatre on the UW-Marshfield/Wood County campus, 2000 West 5th St., Marshfield.

“This hilarious comedy is about the McGrath sisters – Lenny, Meg and Babe – who are dealing with at least two current issues, coupled with the family baggage we all carry,” said Steve Decker, director and UW-Marshfield/Wood County assistant professor.

The youngest sister Babe (played by Katie Binger) is facing murder charges for shooting her abusive husband because she “didn’t like his looks.” Lenny (played by Mollie Bauman) is the caring eldest sister who has sacrificed herself to care for her ailing grandfather. Wild middle sister Meg (played by Kaila Pooler) left behind her family and lover, Doc Porter, (played by Jesse Warren) to pursue a singing career. 

“Meg is very complex,” said Pooler, a theatre major in her first year at UW-M/WC.  Pooler played Annie Deever in the Campus Community Players production of “All My Sons” in November.  “She has a lot of issues.  As a child, she was the one who found her mother, who committed suicide. Meg is very selfish, but she cares very much about her sisters and the people around here.  And when all else fails, she will come to their aid.”

Jesse Warren, a freshmen majoring in broadcast journalism, is making his Campus Community Players debut as Doc Porter.  The character is the strong, silent type, according to Warren.

“But when he needs to speak, he does,” Warren said.  “I think he was genuinely in love with Meg. In a way, I think he still wants to be.  He doesn’t have as much fun in his current relationship as he did with her.  He misses that fun.”

Barnette Lloyd, a local lawyer played by Brett Schumacher, is hired to defend Babe against charges related to the shooting of her husband.  He’s harboring a secret love for Babe and a not-so-secret desire for revenge against her husband, Zachary Botrelle.

“(Lloyd) just wants to get the girl,” said Schumacher, a second–year student majoring in criminal justice. “He’s very young.  He’s just starting out as a lawyer and he wants to get ahead."

Henley’s unique portrayal of family dynamics creates a hilarious mix of conflicts, crises and revelations, Decker said. 

“For sisters or anyone who has sisters, it is easy to recognize the unique bond formed by a shared history of victories and defeats, laughter and tears,” he said.

Tickets for Crimes of the Heart are $10 in advance, $12 at the door.  The Campus Box Office is open 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 4-6 p.m. Monday through Friday and one hour before performances.  To order tickets, call 389-6534.  VISA, MasterCard and Discover are accepted. All seating is reserved.  Tickets are non-refundable.

The Campus-Community Players presents a wide variety of productions, including classical work, new plays, musicals and, sometimes, family oriented work. As a college theatre program, which also relies on members of the community in its productions, the primary goal of the program is the education of students. Many students have gone on to professional careers in acting, directing, playwriting, theatre education and theatrical production. This aim of teaching and learning requires a variety of theatrical genres, periods and styles which reflect the current contemporary theatre landscape. There are many opportunities to get involved both onstage and off. New faces are always welcome. Contact Decker, assistant professor of Communication and Theatre Arts, at sdecker@uwc.edu, for more information.

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