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William Inge’s classic drama "Picnic" opens on the Wimberley Players stage today and runs through Sept. 22.
It’s Labor Day weekend in two adjoining backyards in a small Kansas town — one belonging to Flo Owens and the other to Helen Potts. Living with Flo are her two daughters, Madge and Millie, and Rosemary Sidney, a schoolteacher. Madge is beautiful at 18, while Millie is plain at 16. Next door at Mrs. Pott’s house, Hal Carter, a young drifter, has come to town to look for work and to visit his old college friend Alan, who happens to be Madge’s boyfriend. Hal is mysterious and handsome, and his presence seems to disrupt the balance of the town. In the weekend leading up to the annual Labor Day picnic, anything can happen.
"Picnic" opened on Broadway in 1953 and ran for 477 performances. The original cast included Ralph Meeker, Eileen Heckhart and Paul Newman. It was Newman’s Broadway debut. The show won the Pulitzer Prize as well as a Tony for Best Director and the New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award for Best Play of the season.
The role of Hal Carter is played by Michael Vybiral. Madge and Millie Owens are played by Julia Buszac and Rachel Ditzig respectively, both Texas State students new to the Wimberley Players' stage. Flo Owens is played by Sarah Seaton, Alan Seymour is played by Dylan Droz and Bomber is played by Payton Trahan. Howard Bevins is played by Dave Giminiani who was most recently seen on the Player’s stage as Robert in "Proof." Rosemary Sidney is played by Mary Jane Windle who has appeared in "The Lion in Winter" and "Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike." Helen Potts is played by Karin Cunningham; Christine Schoenwalder is played by Lindsey Mosely and Irma Kronkite is played by Kathryn Reynolds.
The play is directed by Tracy Arnold and Adam Witko is the executive producer. This production is produced by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc.
The show will run from Aug. 30 – Sept. 22, with Friday and Saturday performances at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday performances at 2:30 p.m. Reserved seating is $22; Student tickets are $18 with ID. Tickets are available at the Wimberley Players website or by calling 512-847-0575. The Wimberley Players is located at 450 Old Kyle Road, Wimberley.
