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ONCE MORE ON ST. THOMAS, 'FOR BETTER FOR WORSE'

Aug. 31, 2002 – "For Better For Worse," Reichhold Center for the Arts director David Edgecombe's Caribbean comedy/commentary about the generation gap in the 1970s, opened its run as the summer production of the Reichhold's Caribbean Repertory Theater Company on June 7. Nearly three months later, it's not over yet.
The play initially had a scheduled run of 15 performances, with the curtain to come down on July 1. Instead, it was extended for one weekend, and then another. A couple of weeks ago, the Reichhold Center announced that the show would tour to St. Croix for performances Sept. 7 and 8. But before that happens, there's one more chance for the public to see the show on St. Thomas – on Sunday night.
Edgecombe, who directed the current production himself, has said his play, written while he was a college student and set in his native Montserrat, is about middle-class hypocrisy and "how difficult it is, particularly in small societies, to disregard mainstream values." He adds, "It pokes fun. It doesn't preach."
The case features George Silcott Jr. and Jolanda Donadelle as Derek and Sandra, a rebellious college-educated young couple who reject their parents' ideas of marriage; Seymour Davis as Derek's political and hypocritical father; and Josephine Lindquist as Sandra's obsessively religious mother. Others in the cast are Donna Renee Carter, Fred Hintz (replacing Michael Kuich), Marcus Daniel (replacing Kevin Henry) and Nina Farrell (replacing Jahima Parsons).
For a preview of the production, see "'For Better For Worse,' for now and all month". For a performance review, see "Cast of comedy soars, 'For Better For Worse'".
One to go on St. Thomas
Edgecombe scheduled a special performance on Saturday night for the University of the Virgin Islands community – on the Reichhold stage, not in the UVI Little Theater, where the play had its June-July run. Because tickets for Saturday's show sold out, the play will be presented one more time, at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, again at the Reichhold, and this time open to the general public.
Tickets are free for UVI students, $8 for UVI faculty and staff and $10 for the general public; they'll be sold at the Reichhold box office prior to the performance. Call the box office at 693-1559 for charge card reservations.
Two to come on St. Croix
The two St. Croix performances will take place at the Educational Complex High School next weekend. Curtain time will be 8 p.m. for both Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $15 for general admission and $8 for students. They are available at the UVI St. Croix campus bookstore, at Sam Goody's in the Sunny Isle Shopping Center and at John E's Gallery in Christiansted.
According to Jennifer Jackson, chancellor of the UVI St. Croix campus, her campus "has been inundated with requests and inquiries about 'For Better For Worse.' This is an attempt to fulfill the requests, and we are certain that the public will respond well."
Edgecombe said he is delighted that the play is touring to St. Croix — and by news that plans are afoot to develop a theater company on the campus. "It would please me no end to see more exchanges in the arts between St. Thomas and St. Croix," he said. "This can only lead to a stronger base for local productions."
For further information about the St. Croix performances, call the Reichhold Center at 693-1550 during business hours – in the coming week, Tuesday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

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