Meet the ‘Book of Days’ cast & crew

Hayley Cotton is Ruth Hoch in "Book of Days."

Kenjamin Lafayette is Len Hoch in "Book of Days."

Brenna Kempf is LouAnn Bates in "Book of Days."

The curtain rises Friday, March 8, on the Parkside Theatre production of Lanford Wilson's intriguing murder mystery "Book of Days." Performances are March 8, 9, 14, 15, and 16 at 7:30 p.m. and March 17 at 2 p.m.

In a small Missouri town, Ruth and Len Hoch work in the factory owned by Walt Bates. Len, the factory's manager, doesn't always see eye-to-eye with Walt's son James. In short order, Ruth is cast as Joan of Arc in a community theatre production of George Bernard Shaw's "St. Joan;" a tornado rips through the town, and Walt is accidently killed in a hunting mishap. Or was it a murder?

Ruth Hoch is portrayed by senior Theatre Arts majorHayley Cotton. This is Hayley's first featured role in a Parkside Theatre production.

Kenjamin Lafayette plays Len Hoch. A fourth year student in Theatre Arts, his previous credits include Michael Evans in "Dancing at Lughnasa," and multiple roles in "Threepenny Opera," and "Great Expectations."

Michael Dalberg is Boyd Middleton. Parkside Theatre patrons have seen Michael as Father Jack in "Dancing at Lughnasa," Frank in "Melancholy Play," and in multiple roles in "Henry V" and "She Stoops to Conquer."

Brenna Kempf plays LouAnn Bates. A senior Theatre Arts major, her Parkside Theatre credits include Mrs. Peachum in "Threepenny Opera," Elma in "Bus Stop," Montjoy in "Henry V," and Hisperia in "As You Like It." Her choreography was seen in "Dancing at Lughnasa," "Threepenny Opera," "Hamlet" and others. Immediately after graduation, Brenna joins Riverside Theatre in Iowa City as an acting apprentice. 

Rachael Sandlin plays Sharon Bates. She previous appeared as Christina Mundy in "Dancing at Lughnasa," Polly Peachum in "Threepenny Opera," Mrs. Hardcastle in "She Stoops to Conquer," and multiple roles in "Great Expectations" and "Henry V."

Senior Theatre Arts major Alex Metalsky is Sheriff Atkins. His Shakespeare credits include Polonius in Parkside Theatre's "Hamlet" and Sir Oliver Martext in "As You Like It." He was Pumblechook and Wemmick in "Great Expectations."

Brittany Bouche portrays Martha Hoch. Her previous Parkside Theatre roles were as Maggie in "Dancing at Lughnasa" and as Coaxer and the Reverend Kimball in "Threepenny Opera."

Olivia Kraus plays Ginger Reed. She was previously seen as Dolly in "Threepenny Opera."

Other cast members are Blaine Connor as Earl Hill, Ben Carlstein as the Rev. Groves, and Joe Romanak as Walt Bates.

Director Brian Gill's crew features co-scenic designers Keith Harris and Kevin Nelson, Katlin Kobernick on costume and makeup, Jake Bray as lighting designer, Chris Payne and Jody Sekas as co-projection designers, Holly Thompson on sound design, stage manager Mikayla Durkee, Laura Chartrand is properties master, Bethanne Duffy is the production's dramaturg with Darice Damata-Geiger, costume lab supervisor; and Michael Clickner, technical director.

Tickets are $17 for adults, $13 for seniors, and university faculty and staff, and $8 for students. Purchase them online at www.uwparksidetickets.com, by phone at 262-595-2564, or at the ticket office in Brentwood Lobby of The Rita.

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ABOUT THIS STORY:

Story Status: Archived
Publish date: 3/7/2013

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