Center Stage Theatre to Present "Crimes of the Heart" Oct. 3-7 at SCC

Published: 10/01/2012

“’Crimes of the Heart’ is one of my favorites,” she said. “I love plays that are about southern women, focused on family, but are light-hearted and funny.” The second time she directed it was for Center Stage Theatre nearly 15 years ago.

Cilek has been with Center Stage Theatre since its inception nearly 25 years ago, back when they rented the auditorium at St. Charles West High School before they moved to the current SCC campus.

After teaching at SCC for more than 25 years, Cilek officially retired this year, but she will continue to direct plays for Center Stage. “I love theater because it brings people together,” she said. “It’s live story telling, and it’s different every time, no matter how many performances you’ve done.”

“Crimes of the Heart” will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday, Oct. 3-4, at 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Oct. 5-6, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 7, in the Donald D. Shook Fine Arts Building theater on the SCC campus. There will be a high school matinee performance at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 4.

“Crimes of the Heart” by Beth Henley is a Pulitzer Prize-winning dark comedy about three sisters who reunite on the occasion of the youngest sister Babe’s recent trouble with the law. She is being accused of attempting to shoot her husband. Her explanation was that she was having a bad day. Unfortunately, the entire family has been having bad days with Pappy’s poor health, Meg’s floundering singing career and Lenny’s forgotten birthday. Together the three sisters, along with a young lawyer, work through family problems, old loves and past hurts to get Babe acquitted.

The following SCC faculty, staff and students will be assisting with the production: Set and lighting director Lonna Wilke, SCC associate professor of theater; costume designer Deborah Phillips, SCC adjunct professor of theater; technical director Jeff Roop; assistant technical director Zach Mielke; stage manager Stephanie Pabst, SCC student; and assistant stage manager Jimmy Coleman, SCC student.

Cast members include: Michelle Moll, of Chesterfield, as Lenny; Bailey Rough, SCC student of St. Paul, as Chick; Wes Meinhold, SCC student of St. Peters, as Doc; Melanie Schneider, SCC alumna of St. Charles, as Meg; Nicole Cuneo, Lindenwood student of St. Charles, as Babe; Christian Lewis, SCC student of Paynesville, Mo., as Barnette.

Tickets are $8 for adults and $6 for seniors and college students with ID. Tickets will be offered at a special reduced price of $5 for everyone on Wednesday, Oct. 3. To purchase tickets, visit www.stchastickets.comor call the SCC Box Office at 636-922-8050. For additional information, visit www.stchas.edu/centerstage. St. Charles Community College is located at 4601 Mid Rivers Mall Drive in Cottleville.

For accommodations information, e-mail accessibilityservice@stchas.edu.

St. Charles Community College is a public, comprehensive two-year community college with associate degrees and certificate programs in the arts, business, sciences and career-technical fields. SCC provides workforce training and community-based personal and professional development as well as cultural, recreational and entertainment opportunities. For more information, visit www.stchas.edu.