Angela Amos plays Rainy, the youngest survivor of the Children of the Elvi,
in Key City Players’ Northwest premiere of “SO FAR: The Children of the Elvi”
by contemporary playwright Constance Congdon. The post-apocalyptic play
opens June 22 and runs through July 14 in Port Townsend.
Photo by Shelly Randall
Suppose a male-dominated society wrecked the world. Would a
matriarchal society be the antidote, or would absolute power
corrupt absolutely, yet again?
Internationally produced playwright Constance Congdon explores
this question and one family’s warped state of arrested
development after the planet is torn apart by greed, war and
environmental devastation. The result is “SO FAR: The Children
of the Elvi.” In Congdon’s twisted post-apocalyptic world,
survivors speak a deconstructed language, question their
fragmented sense of history, and have no sense of possibilities
beyond their own fence-line.
“SO FAR,” a dark, dark comedy disguised as a tragedy, opens
Friday, June 22, at the Key City Playhouse in Port Townsend and
runs for four weekends. Key City Players is proud to present the
Northwest premiere of this contemporary play and to host the
Massachusetts playwright in residence.
Originally commissioned and produced by Congdon’s alma mater,
the University of Massachusetts, “SO FAR” has been called one of
the “best plays not yet produced in New York” by Tim Samson,
artistic director of Playwrights’ Horizons.
The Northwest premiere of Congdon’s play is directed by KCP
Artistic Director Denise Winter and stars Angela Amos, David
Wayne Johnson, Nancy Muir and Peter Wiant, and KCP newcomers
Caleb Dearing, Brian Gilbert and Camille Hildebrandt. Brad
Mace’s set design incorporates the detritus of a ruined
landscape, and Eryn McNamara’s haute trash costume design evokes
the survivalist scavenger mentality of Congdon’s bizarre world.
Congdon, the author of more than 30 plays and now a teacher and
playwright-in-residence at Amherst College in Massachusetts,
worked in-residence at Key City Players for two weeks during the
“SO FAR” rehearsals.
“Cast members have enjoyed the benefits of the collaborative
process, working closely with the playwright,” says Director
Winter. “And Congdon is excited about the cast who have brought
so much talent and thoughtfulness to their characters and to
this unique play.”
Congdon will be back in town for the opening of “SO FAR,” and
will be joining the director and cast members for special
post-show discussions following all opening weekend performances
on June 22, 23 and 24. Congdon’s Port Townsend residency
includes teaching workshops for local playwrights on June 16 and
23 sponsored by the Port Townsend Arts Commission and Key City
Players.
After opening weekend, informal “AfterWords” discussions with
the artistic staff and cast will follow all Thursday and Sunday
performances.
“SO FAR: The Children of the Elvi” runs June 22-July 14 at the
Key City Playhouse, 419 Washington St., Port Townsend.
Performances are Thurs., Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m.; Sun. at 7 p.m.
There are no matinee performances. This production contains
mature themes and strong language and is not recommended for
children.
General admission is $12; $10 for students. For the
pay-what-you-wish performance on Thurs., June 28, advance
tickets are available at full price and donations are accepted
at the door for the remaining seats on a first-come,
first-served basis.
All advance ticket sales are handled by Quimper Sound Music and
Media, 230 Taylor St., Port Townsend; www.quimpersound.com. 2007
FLEXpass vouchers and member and gift passes may be exchanged
for tickets at Quimper Sound.
Theatre patrons are encouraged to secure advance tickets, as
seats are limited in Key City’s intimate playhouse. For
information about group sales and subscription packages, call
Key City Players at 360-379-0195, or visit
www.keycitypublictheatre.org.
Key City Players is funded in part by a generous grant from the
Port Townsend Arts Commission.