Award winning ‘Wit’ comes to OKC
In 1999 the play Wit was on fire. It won the Pulitzer for Drama in 1999 and the Mike Nichols HBO film won an Emmy for Outstanding Made for Television Film in 2001. Rachel Irick, Executive Director thought it was time for OKC to see this play again.
“Also, for me personally, it is a very important project.
“My mother was diagnosed with cancer in 2007 and passed away in 2008, just eight months after diagnosis, so I will be performing the lead role of Vivian as a tribute to her.”
Each play is considered by OKCTC if they can pass these type of questions: Do we think people would be excited about seeing this title on our season lineup? Are the artists in our network passionate about his material? Do we have the resources to present the script in a way that is faithful to the playwright’s intentions? Is it thought-provoking in a way that will benefit the community of Oklahoma City?
“That may seem pretty dull, I know… but that gives you a little insight to our process.”
It’s the 16th season for the Oklahoma City theatre company. For Irick, this means she is in her fourth season with the company. “I started as Associate Artistic Director under our company’s founder Richard Nelson when I was at the University of Oklahoma working on the last stages of my Masters in Fine Arts in Drama (directing).”
She also met “the love of her life” at OKCTC!
I’ve performed a few smaller roles with OKCTC. Although I’ve devoted 99% of my artistic energy to directing over the last 15 years, Wit will be my first stage appearance in over 5 years.”
OKCTC is the company who, last year, brought us the controversial The “Most Fabulous” play at Christmastime. “That helped our company immeasurably, but not in the way people think.”
This year, Irick thinks if anything is going to be controversial this season, it will be our production of ‘Corpus Christi’ by Terrence McNally.”
“The play follows the major plot points in the life of Jesus, but the central character is a man named Joshua who is born in modern-day Corpus Christi, Texas. Joshua is forced to leave Texas because he is gay and soon begins a journey, gathering 12 followers along the way who are drawn to his message of love and acceptance.
“The play’s message is not, ‘Jesus was gay.’ The message is, in a nutshell, ‘radical acceptance,’ which is what Jesus taught.’ I’m interested in provoking conversation and thoughtful dialog, not insisting that everyone agree with me and live the way I choose.” Corpus Christi is actually a very reverent, moving, and inspiring play. It has some funny moments too. If people come in with an open mind, I don’t see a reason why anyone couldn’t enjoy the show regardless of their beliefs. I’m very excited about directing that “Corpus Christi,” and it will be presented during the Easter season March 20-April 4th.
Wit is written by Margaret Edson and shows January 9-18 Thursdays-Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 2 pm in CitySpace Theatre at Civic Center Music Hall. There will be a $10 Preview performance on January 8th.
Wit was also winner of the Lucille Lortel Award for Best Play. In her extraordinary first play, Margaret Edson has created a work that is as intellectually challenging as it is emotionally immediate. The New York Times reviewed Wit as, "[A] brutally human and beautifully layered new play...you feel both enlightened and, in a strange way, enormously comforted."
Synopsis: Vivian Bearing, Ph.D. a renowned professor of English who has spent years studying and teaching the brilliant and difficult metaphysical sonnets of John Donne, has been diagnosed with ovarian cancer. During the course of her illness, Vivian comes to reassess her life and her work with a profundity and humor that are transformative both for her and the audience. Directed by Michelle DeLong and starring OKCTC Artistic Director Rachel Irick.
For more information about OKCTC, to purchase tickets, or information about upcoming shows, please visit their website at www.okctc.org.
by Robin Dorner, Editor in Chief
The Gayly – January 5, 2015 @ 11:45am