Oct. 7, 2006 – From Page to Stage's second production, Ira Levin's suspense tale, "Dr. Cook's Garden," will open on Friday, Oct. 13, at Good Hope School's James C. Savage Theater. Levin is best known for his novels "Rosemary's Baby" and "The Stepford Wives" and his other suspense play "Deathtrap."
The play tells the story of a young physician, played by Mark Saladino, who completes his internship and returns to the idyllic small town where he grew up for a weekend visit. While there, he notices that most of the people who die are those no one liked: the troublemakers, abusers and skinflints. It almost seems as if heaven rewards virtue by ensuring that those who are wicked at heart die. However, a series of coincidences leads him to suspect that his old mentor and the town's much beloved doctor, Dr. Cook (Charles Braslow), has been playing God and "weeding" out the bad seeds in the town.
Local actors Diane Hampton, Frederick Handleman, and Janice Lee round out the cast of five.
"Dr. Cook's Garden" will be presented on Oct. 13, 14, 20, and 21, at 8 p.m., and on Oct. 15, at 4 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for college students with a valid I.D., and $8 for students. Make reservations by calling 773-6754; tickets may also be purchased at the door. "Dr. Cook's Garden" is appropriate for children as young as 11.
For further information, call Jeanne Johnston at 773-6754 or e-mail the theater at frompage2stage@yahoo.com. Audience members can meet the cast after the opening night show, when champagne will be served. A Question and Answer period with the cast will follow the Saturday, Oct. 14, performance, and the first 50 theatergoers to the Oct. 15 matinee will each receive a free tomato plant, courtesy of Emmeline Simmonds and Oretha Liburd.
For further information, call Jeanne Johnston at 773-6754 or e-mail the theater at frompage2stage@yahoo.com.
