Press Releases
Play with Alzheimer's theme to be staged in Charleston and Morgantown
Greenbrier troupe hits the road for Alzheimer's Association and Blanchette Rockefeller Neurosciences Institute
September 21, 2004
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The Greenbrier Valley Theater will bring its production of The Subject Tonight is Love to Charleston Oct. 3 and Morgantown Oct. 4 for one-time presentations to benefit Alzheimer's Association, West Virginia Chapter, and the Blanchette Rockefeller Neurosciences Institute.
The Subject Tonight is Love gently takes us through a daughter`s realization that her mother has Alzheimer`s disease and her ongoing struggle to love a woman whose mind is progressively diminished by the disease. Playwright Sandra Deer has created a beautifully poetic play that brings us to a deeper understanding about Alzheimer`s while bringing us to a new level of understanding of the human heart. Following its 2003 premiere at the Atlanta Alliance Theater (in cooperation with the Atlanta Alzheimer`s Association), Variety Magazine wrote that "Deer demonstrates why she is an Atlanta theater luminary... "
The production features Actors` Equity Association members Ann Benedict, Aaron Christenson, and Cathey Sawyer and is directed by Warren Hammack and stage managed by AEA member Alan Porch.
Jane Marks, executive director of the Alzheimer`s Association W.Va. Chapter, says the Association` is thrilled to work with the Greenbrier Valley Theater and BRNI to bring awareness to the challenge of Alzheimer`s disease through this unique vehicle. Sandra Deer is living the same challenge that so many West Virginia families are facing. We hope audiences will be spurred to action as we work together to make Alzheimer`s just a memory.
Robert D`Alessandri, M.D., president of the Blanchette Rockefeller Neurosciences Institute, says that "we are grateful to the actors and playwright for bringing this production to Morgantown and Charleston...this play will bring the struggle of Alzheimer`s disease to the stage. "
The Charleston performance will be at 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 3, at the Cultural Center at the WV State Capitol Complex. The Morgantown performance will take place at the Gladys G. Davis Theater in the WVU Creative Arts Center at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 4.
"We would like to thank all the sponsors of the Greenbrier Valley Theater and the Cultural Center and the Creative Arts Center for their support of this production, " said Marks.
Tickets are $20 for adults and $12 for students. They may be purchased at the door, or by calling the Greenbrier Valley Theater in Lewisburg at (304) 645-3838. All ticket proceeds will benefit the Alzheimer's Association, W.Va. Chapter, and the Blanchette Rockefeller Neurosciences Institute.
In addition the play will be performed in Lewisburg at the Greenbrier Valley Theater on Oct. 1-2, Oct. 7-9 and Oct. 14-16.