Daily Newsletters
Account
Washington Evening Journal
111 North Marion Avenue
Washington, IA 52353
319-653-2191
Fairfield Area Community Theatre to perform ‘Catfish Moon’
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
FAIRFIELD – Fairfield Area Community Theatre will present the play “Catfish Moon” seven times over two different weekends in November, all of them at The Walton Club.
Opening night is Thursday, Nov. 13 starting at 7:30 p.m., and the thespians will perform it at that same time Friday and Saturday, Nov. 14-15, with a 3 p.m. matinee on Sunday, Nov. 16. Those who miss that first weekend can catch it the following weekend when it will be performed Friday and Saturday, Nov. 21-22, again at 7:30 p.m., with another Sunday matinee on Nov. 23 at 3 p.m.
Tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for students, and this also covers the cost of dessert, which is served 30 minutes before curtain. Tickets are available at Adela’s, Fairfield Area Chamber of Commerce’s office, and at the door.
Director Rachel Biggs says this play follows a group of friends as they navigate the trials and tribulations of adult life and aging in a small town.
“I’ve always loved the bittersweet shows, the ones that confront the realities of life and shared experiences,” she said. “When I first read this play, I was taken on an emotional roller coaster ride and I knew that it was something I wanted the chance to direct.”
Biggs said Catfish Moon deals with some adult themes and complicated emotions, making it a fun challenge to explore and portray.
“It was such a perfect show to put on at the Walton Club given the location and atmosphere that I couldn’t turn it down,” she added.
The cast for this FACT production is rather small with just four actors. The four actors and the characters they play are:
Andrew Mackenzie as Curley
David Patterson as Gordon
Fred Hucke as Frog
Celeste Siemsen as Betty
This show is a reversal of roles for Hucke and Biggs. Hucke was Biggs’ English teacher and speech coach when she was in high school, and now it’s her turn to coach him. Biggs mentioned that she’s also worked with Mackenzie, Patterson and Siemsen on previous FACT shows.
“After auditions, I knew that no matter how I arranged the casting, this cast would make these characters come to life,” she said. “There have been times in rehearsal where I have become so invested in the action and characters on stage that I have forgotten to follow along in my script. They are truly talented and I’m so grateful to explore these characters with them and give them dimensions.”
Helping guide Biggs in her role is assistant director Diana Flynn. Lou Bolster is in charge of sets, while Colin Siemsen, Tommy Brower, and Jason Deprey have helped with sound and other odd jobs. Lore Oliver has been helping with lighting and equipment, too. Suzan Kessel and Meredith Siemsen painted the background scenes, and Biggs and the cast worked on costumes and character design. Biggs said the FACT Board has been “amazing help” in locating props and whatever else is needed.
Call Andy Hallman at 641-575-0135 or email him at andy.hallman@southeastiowaunion.com
