Post by Anja on Aug 14, 2006 3:48:42 GMT -5
Provocative Play
One of the most provocative issues of our times, the death penalty, is the
subject of "Coyote on a Fence." The Chance Theater in Anaheim Hills is
giving the award-winning drama its Orange County premiere.
Written by Bruce Graham, the piece won the Lois and Richard Rosenthal
award in 1998 for Best New American Play and received Obie and Drama Desk
nominations.
Graham wrote "Coyote on a Fence" after corresponding with a Texas inmate,
James Beathard, who published a death-row newspaper. Beathard was executed
and later exonerated.
There are 4 characters: an educated inmate who protests his innocence and
puts out a newspaper, his cell neighbor who is a mass murderer, a female
prison guard and a reporter.
Casey Long, who plays the psychotic mass murderer, said the show has
challenged him emotionally and shifted opinions that were black and white
to shades of gray.
"As the play evolves you see different perspectives," said Annie
Mezzacappa, who plays the reporter.
"The playwright has not argued one way or the other. It leaves it to the
audience to come to its own decision."
Every Sunday, the play will be followed with a discussion between cast and
audience. Sometimes there will be guest moderators, including an assistant
public defender, Denise Gragg, of Orange County.
Directed by Patricia Ansuini, the show runs through Sept. 10. 4 p.m.
Saturdays and 6 p.m. Sundays. 5552 E. La Palma Ave. 714-777-3033,
800-838-3006, www.chancetheater.com
(source: Press-Enterprise)
One of the most provocative issues of our times, the death penalty, is the
subject of "Coyote on a Fence." The Chance Theater in Anaheim Hills is
giving the award-winning drama its Orange County premiere.
Written by Bruce Graham, the piece won the Lois and Richard Rosenthal
award in 1998 for Best New American Play and received Obie and Drama Desk
nominations.
Graham wrote "Coyote on a Fence" after corresponding with a Texas inmate,
James Beathard, who published a death-row newspaper. Beathard was executed
and later exonerated.
There are 4 characters: an educated inmate who protests his innocence and
puts out a newspaper, his cell neighbor who is a mass murderer, a female
prison guard and a reporter.
Casey Long, who plays the psychotic mass murderer, said the show has
challenged him emotionally and shifted opinions that were black and white
to shades of gray.
"As the play evolves you see different perspectives," said Annie
Mezzacappa, who plays the reporter.
"The playwright has not argued one way or the other. It leaves it to the
audience to come to its own decision."
Every Sunday, the play will be followed with a discussion between cast and
audience. Sometimes there will be guest moderators, including an assistant
public defender, Denise Gragg, of Orange County.
Directed by Patricia Ansuini, the show runs through Sept. 10. 4 p.m.
Saturdays and 6 p.m. Sundays. 5552 E. La Palma Ave. 714-777-3033,
800-838-3006, www.chancetheater.com
(source: Press-Enterprise)