The Phoenix

‘Gamma Rays’ now playing at Steel River Playhouse

- From Steel River Playhouse

“The most compelling work of its kind since TennesseeW­illiams’ The Glass Menagerie” — Variety April 5, 2017.

With that kind of commentary, how can you not go to see “The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-inthe-Moon Marigolds,” the Pulitzer award-winning play by Paul Zindel, di- rected by Amanda Coffin which runs through Sunday, April 30 at Steel River Playhouse.

The story centers on the lives of a single mother and her two teenage daughters, and how they each cope with the hardship, broken dreams, and disappoint­ments that envelop them. Even as it explores the darker human emotions of bitterness, despair and jealousy, the play also focuses on hope and triumph over adversity— how even under the most daunting circumstan­ces, amazing things can happen and beautiful things can grow fromdamage­d beginnings.

Tillie loves knowing the underlying scientific structure of the world. It keeps her sane, free from her turbulent home life and free from her overbearin­g mother’s constant need for attention. But could science be a

way of gaining hermother’s ply the spark of imaginatio­n.love?Canaprojec­twithirrad­iated marigold seeds The cast includes Reat the school science fair becca Stern (Tillie), Andrea show her mother that TilFrasson­i (Beatrice), Hanlie is more than just half a nah Paczkowski (Ruth), test-tube? Betsy Chapman (Nanny),

Zindel’s tale of crazy reland Leanna Doyle (Janice). atives, radioactiv­e flora Tickets are $22 for an and a passion for science is adult, $19 for Seniors (65+) a dark and dreamy tale of and $15 for Students. Tickone girl’s struggle to surets can be ordered online at vive the trauma of growwww.steelriver.org. Online ing up by escaping into sciticketi­ng allows audience ence. ‘The Effect of Gamma members to select their Rays on Man-In-The-Moon seat. Groups of ten or more Marigolds,” discovers what are eligible for a discount. beautiful flora might grow fromseemin­gly rotten remnants when you simply ap- Andrea Frassoni. left, Betsy Chapman and Hannah Paczkowski are seen in a scene from “The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds.’

About Steel River Playhouse

Steel River Playhouse is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) charitable education and performanc­e facility that seeks to strengthen community, inspire creative exploratio­n, educate, and entertain, through the presentati­on of quality performing arts events and education for diverse audiences. Students and volunteers of all ages and background­s are encouraged to explore and grow their skills by working side-by-side with profession­al instructor­s, performers, directors, and designers.

 ?? PHOTO COURTESY OF JOHN DAGGETT ?? Rebecca Stern plays Tillie in “The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds.’
PHOTO COURTESY OF JOHN DAGGETT Rebecca Stern plays Tillie in “The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds.’
 ?? PHOTO COURTESY OF JOHN DAGGETT ??
PHOTO COURTESY OF JOHN DAGGETT
 ?? PHOTO COURTESY OF JOHN DAGGETT ?? Hannah Paczkowski left, Rebecca Stern and Andrea Frassoni rehearse a scene from “The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds.”
PHOTO COURTESY OF JOHN DAGGETT Hannah Paczkowski left, Rebecca Stern and Andrea Frassoni rehearse a scene from “The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds.”

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