Theatre Fairfield opens the 2006-2007 season with "The Shadow Box" at Fairfield University | Press Releases

Theatre Fairfield, Fairfield University's resident production company, opens the 2006-2007 season with Michael Cristofer's Pulitzer-Prize winning play, "The Shadow Box." The play will be performed in the Wien Experimental Black Box Theatre at the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts, Wednesday, Oct. 25 through Saturday, Oct. 28 at 8:00 p.m., with 2:00 p.m. matinees on Saturday, Oct. 28 and Sunday, Oct. 29.

"The Shadow Box" dramatizes the lives of three families living in hospice care. Faced with a terminal illness, the patients struggle with their mortality and its effect on their loved ones. Through fear and ultimately through acceptance, the characters arrive at a deeper understanding of the importance of facing the realities in their lives. The play is a reaffirmation of life in the shadow of impending death.

"The Shadow Box" is deeply influenced by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross' revolutionary study, "On Death and Dying" (Touchstone, 1969). According to Ross, throughout the process of dying and grieving for the loss of one's life, one faces five stages: anger, denial, depression, bargaining, and acceptance. "But," Ross affirms, "the one thing that usually persists through all these stages is hope."

"The Shadow Box" cast includes repeat performers with Theatre Fairfield. Seniors Tess Brown, Kelly Henn, Elizabeth Krane, Jared Mezzocchi, Jonathan Perez, and Jodie Pfau are joined by juniors Tony DaCosta, Tim King, and sophomore Colleen Kennedy. This talented group of actors will be remembered for performances in "Cabaret," "The Importance of Being Earnest," and "59 Pink Thunderbird."

Set design is by Matt Maraffi, costume design is by Julie Leavitt, and lighting design is by Lynne Chase. Professional theater and film director Douglas Moser returns to Theatre Fairfield after successful productions of "Dead Man Walking" in 2005 and "The Laramie Project" in 2003.

For tickets call the Quick Center Box Office at (203) 254-4010 or toll free at 1-877-ARTS-396. For more information visit http://www.quickcenter.com. Tickets are $12 general admission, $6 for seniors and University staff, and $5 for students.