Arts center to stage 'Women of Choice'

The Shawnee Hills Arts Council is planning to present the play “Women of Choice” at the Anna Arts Center. 

The arts center is located at 125 W. Davie St. in Anna.

Performances are set for Friday, Feb. 28, at 7 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 29, at 7 p.m.; and Sunday, March 1, at 2 p.m.

Ticket prices at the door will be $15 and $5 for those 12 and under. Ticket information is available online at https://womenofchoice.brownpapertickets.com.

Ticket information also is available by calling Lee at 904-625-1109.

The arts council notes that the production is recommended for high school and above because of mature themes.

“Women of Choice” is the opening play in the arts center’s “Year of the Women” season of stage productions.

“Year of the Women” celebrates when women in the United States earned the right to vote.

On Aug. 26, 1920, the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution went into effect and citizens of the United States could no longer be denied the right to vote on the basis of sex.  

During 2020, the Shawnee Hills Arts Council celebrates the 100-year anniversary of women’s right to vote by performing six plays/musicals, including:

Feb. 28 through March 1, “Women of Choice.”

April 17-19, “The Long Hot September.”

April 24, murder mystery.

July 31 through Aug. 2, “Nunsense.”

Oct. 2-4, “The Decade that Roared.”

Nov. 13-15, “Polka Dots: The Cool Kids Musical.”

“Women of Choice”

“Women of Choice” is a play of 10 monologues by David Rush from Murphysboro.  

“The monologues all had one thing in common: they were about women who had made or are making choices in their lives: some good, some bad; some lucky, some not; some funny, some tragic; some realistic, some fantastical,” Rush shared.

The  Shawnee Hills  Arts Council and the Anna Arts Center recently announced the cast for “Woman of Choice”  

Gynelle Baccus of Carterville will play Nora the Pedestrian. Seen as Artie, the Single Girl will be  Sarah Gentry, a sophomore at Anna-Jonesboro Community High School.  

Sharon, the painter will be portrayed by Jackie Beatty of Anna. Gail, the Mother will be played by Trinity Sweet, a recent A-JCHS graduate. 

Aphrodite, the Street Lady, is enacted by Debby McKibben of rural Anna. Closing the first act will be Nancy Kucera of Cobden.  

The second act begins with Dianna Gaultney of Cobden, playing Helen the Daughter.  

Next will be a surprise actress in the role of Doris, the Star. Michelle, the Soldier will be portrayed by Charlie Hope Dorsey of Carbondale.  

Closing the production, Rosalind the Repeater will be  played by Wanda  Dillow of Anna. All but two of these actresses have been on The Arts Center Stage before.

The 10 actresses will bring to life the stories of each of the women they portray.  

David Rush of Murphysboro has written the script and it is being directed by Dr. Lynn Steveson of Anna, who has directed several plays at the arts center, and earlier for PAST.

Inclement weather could affect the dates for the performances; if so, the production will be rescheduled.

 

The Gazette-Democrat

112 Lafayette St.
Anna, Illinois 62906
Office Number: (618) 833-2158
Email: news@annanews.com

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