Based on a true story, “Tin Woman” — Olympic Theatre Arts’ coming production slated to take the stage spotlight beginning April 20 — follows the story Joy, a heart transplant recipient who doubts her entitlement to a second chance at life.
The play, written by Sean Grennan and which ChicagoCritic.com calls “a smartly crafted blend of family drama, humor and hope,” is now cast and in rehearsal.
Director Jim Guthrie calls “The Tin Woman” his biggest challenge as a director and has a particular affinity to the play, as he himself has wrestled against a vascular heart condition.
The cast includes:
• Rebecca Lynn Horst as Joy, the heart transplant recipient and the central character in the play. Horst was most recently seen at OTA as an extremely expressive waitress in “Scapino.”
• E.J. Anderson as Jack, the lingering memory of the young, deceased heart donor. Anderson is fresh off of OTA’s stage as James in “Time Stands Still”; Anderson’s fiancé Tia Stephens is the sound designer for “The Tin Woman.”
• Sara Nichols as Alice, Jack’s mother, a generous heart dealing with her own pain and trying to do the right thing. As the executive director of the Dungeness Valley Health & Wellness Clinic, Nichols still finds time for acting and was last seen on OTA’s stage as Sonia in “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike.”
• Joe Schulz as Hank, Jack’s father, dealing with grief and guilt. Schulz studied theater at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City. He was last seen on OTA’s stage as Morrie in “Tuesdays with Morrie.”
• Melissa Karapostoles as Sammy, Jack’s younger sister, a preschool teacher with an enormous heart who perhaps shares a bit too much on her blog. Karapostoles played Nina in “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike,” her debut on the OTA stage.
• Cindy Klein as Darla, Joy’s somewhat flamboyant but caring friend. Klein is new to OTA, saying she is “thrilled to be cast in this heartwarming production.”
• Stephanie Gooch as a by-the-book nurse, competent but annoying. Gooch is a former Peninsula College drama student set to appear in her first OTA performance.
About the play
The Tin Woman runs April 20-May 6.
Friday and Saturday evening performances are at 7:30 p.m., Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.
Tickets are $16 for adults and $12 for students with school ID card, and are available at the theatre box office from 1-5 p.m., Monday through Friday, or online at www.olympictheatrearts.org.
For any performance, students purchasing a ticket at the door five minutes prior to curtain pay only $5 if available.
Preview night is on April 19 where admission is free for OTA members and $10 for non-members.
Pay What You Will Night is April 26.
Talk Back Night is May 3, with a 6:30 p.m. curtain time. (Talk-Back Night gives patrons an opportunity to ask about the process of creating the production. Members of the cast and crew will be present for conversation over complimentary hors d’oeuvres. OTA’s beer, wine and cocktail bar will also be open.).
For more information, call the theatre at 360-683-7326.
