Fireflies

November 3 to November 18, 25, 2018

Matthew Barber’s adaptation of the book Eleanor & Abel, by Annette Sanford, was awarded Best New Play in 2017 by the Edgerton Foundation. It subsequently made its debut at the Long Wharf Theatre in New Haven, Connecticut, starring Jane Alexander. Barber also adapted Elizabeth von Arnim’s popular Enchanted April, produced by the Players in 2007.

Set in Groverdell, a small Texas town, the story finds Eleanor Bannister (Joanne Cox), a respected, retired school teacher coming to grips with the advances of a smooth-talking drifter, Abel Brown (Dan Beckhard). Abel questions Eleanor’s core being, and whether she will be able to let go of the past and embrace the future. Grace Bodell (Linda Stough), who is Eleanor’s busybody neighbor, and Eugene Claymire (John Pitman), the town’s sheriff and onetime “pupil” of Eleanor’s, round out the cast.

Tongues are soon wagging in Groverdell, asking, Is Abel Brown all that he seems to be?

Cast

Eleanor Bannister . . . . . . . . . Joanne Cox
Abel Brown . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . Dan Beckhard
Grace Bodell . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Linda Stough
Eugene Claymire . . . . . . . . . .John Pitman

 

Production Team

Director . . . . . . . . .  Tommy Neuman
Producer . . . . . . . . . Marcia Peters
Costumes …………. Sandy Burroughs
Stage Manager …………. Janet Baserap
Assistant Stage Manager …………. Bev Mangan
Scene Design …………. Bill Armstrong
Set Dresser …………. Marguerite Slaughter, Dianna Russell
Scenic Artist …………. Marianne Ashurst
Set Construction …………. Jerrry Fairman, Dick Allen, Ed Glading, Dianna Russell, Marguerite Slaughter, Dick Royall
Painters …………. .Susan Erichsen, Laurel Corner, Julia Clay, Marcia Peters, Janice Stewart
Lighting, Sound …………. Mike Snider
Backstage Crew …………. Gwen Headly, Kitty Beckhard
Lighting Crew …………. Richard Banker, Janice Coates, Julia Clay, Mary Leslie, Debbie Evans
Playbill …………. Lora Lemons, Ruth Turner
Advertising …………. Marcia Fairman
Box Office …………. Susan Erichsen, Marcia Fairman, Nellie Landrum, Bev Mangan, Michele Stotz
Mailing Crew …………. Sandy Burroughs, Virginia Casey, Marcia Fairman, Bev Mangan, Ruth Turner, Betty Winegar
Lobby Decor …………. Virginia Casey, Bette Winegar
Hospitality Managers …………. Nancy & Dick Royall
Gala Catering…………. Nancy Royall, Marcia & Dan Peters, Julia Clay, Stephanie Snider, Julia Tilley, Dick Royall
Hospitality Staff …………. Ruby Albrite, Marianne Ashurst, John Bartlett, Katherina Bergdoll, Sandy Burroughs, Julia Clay, Pam Collins, Laurel Corner, Catherine Courtney, Alex Eguiguren, Isaac & Mandy Faulkner, Frances Harvey, Barbara Hatton, Gwen Headley, Ann Hergenreder, Kathy Hoffmann, John & Ruth Huber, Deborah Hughes, Amy Jones, Bruce Lawyer, Anne Neuman, Leila Smith, Carl & Michele Stotz, Ruth Turner, Lucas Wigfield, Bob & Bonnie Wilson, Betty Winegar

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NEWS RELEASE

Monday, October 29, 2018

CALLAO, Virginia: “Fireflies,” a sweet romantic comedy, opens with a gala on Saturday, 3 November, at the Westmoreland Players in Callao. For a night of unforgettable theatre, treat your loved ones and see why this play, written by Matthew Barber, was voted Best New Play in 2017.

Directed by Dr. Tommy Neuman, “Fireflies” features Joanne Cox, a talented actress who can manage the gamut of emotions with ease. She becomes Eleanor Bannister, a retired school teacher who has taught everybody under age fifty in Groverdell, Texas, the setting of the story. Eleanor has been having feelings that life has left her behind, but things change when a drifter, Abel Brown, shows up looking for work. Brown is played flawlessly by Dan Beckhard, a newcomer to The Westmoreland Players.

Completing the cast is noted comedic actress Linda Stough and veteran actor John Pitman. Stough plays Grace Bodell, the nosey neighbor and one of Eleanor’s former students. Pitman is wonderful as Eugene Claymire, the local cop.