adapted from Judith Guest's novel by Nancy Gilsenan
Star Theatres, 145 Sir Donald Bradman Dr, Hilton
May 16, 17; 22,23, 24 @ 7.30
Matinees Sunday 18 @ 4.00;
Saturday 24 @ 2.00
Early Tuesday 20 & Wednesday 21 @ 6.30
Directed by
ROB CROSER
Presented by arrangement with ORiGiN Theatrical as agents for The Dramatic Publishing Company of Woodstock Illinois
Conrad Jarrett is a regular teenager, living with his parents in suburban Chicago. His father is a successful taxation lawyer, and his mother is a highly-organised member of their social and sporting set. Conrad is a straight-A student, and, like his older brother, Buck, a member of the High School swimming team and keen sailor.
Then, the unthinkable happens - a sudden storm on Lake Michigan changes all their lives forever.
Ordinary People, published in 1976, was author Judith Guest's first novel. It became an instant best-seller, winning the prestigious Janet Heidinger Kafka Prize for Fiction by an American Woman. It immediately attracted the attention of Robert Redford, who chose it as his first film as a director. The resulting 1980 film, starring Mary Tyler Moore, Donald Sutherland and the teenage Timothy Hutton has become a classic, winning 4 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Screenplay, Best Director (Redford) and Best Supporting Actor (Timothy Hutton).
The novel is taught at High School and University level, as a modern American classic. Nancy Gilsenan's stage adaptation sticks close to the novel (as did the film), focussing on Conrad's journey from the trauma of the family tragedy towards resolution and reconciliation with his family and himself.
“They are ordinary people, after all. For a time they had entered the world of the newspaper statistic; a world where any measure you took to feel better was temporary, at best.”
FULL CAST
Conrad Jarrett Callum Logan
Calvin Jarrett Fahad Farooque
Beth Jarrett Lyn Wilson
Dr Berger Steve Turner
Joe Lazenby Ryan Kennealy
Kevin Stillman Oscar McLean
Jeannine Pratt Olivia McAdam
Karen Aldrich Cleo Barker
Coach Salan David Roach
Stage Manager Diana Buratto