happy New year
Come see a play!
The Children
Feb 13-15,19-22
by Lucy Kirkwood
directed by Jennie Brick
Jenni Ryan as Rose
Bethany Barr as Hazel
Tom Kopp as Robin
"The Children" is set in ‘a small cottage on the east coast’ of England, where Hazel and Robin, two retired nuclear scientists in their mid-sixties, are living. A recent disaster at the local power station where they used to work has devastated the area and they live under the threat of radiation pollution. Electricity and water are rationed and they keep a Geiger counter to check for signs of radiation. However, Hazel is determined to preserve some semblance of normality and live the healthiest life she possibly can. So, Robin now farms, while Hazel practices yoga and devours salad. But when Rose, a former colleague whom they haven’t seen for 38 years, suddenly turns up, she disrupts their precariously ordered existence. Rose is determined that they must fix the problems they have caused for the next generation, even if it means certain death.
Jenni Ryan (Rose)
Jenni’s favorite roles include Gloria Steinem in Gloria: A Life and Kate Jerome in Broadway Bound; Olympe de Gouges (The Revolutionists); M’Lynn (Steel Magnolias); Queen/Belarius (Cymbeline); Charlotte (Moon Over Buffalo); Sarah Daniels (Spinning into Butter); Shelby (The Spitfire Grill); Sarah (Time Stands Still); Faye (Chapter Two); Tessie Tura (Gypsy); Rosemary (How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying); Alex (On the Verge, or The Geography of Yearning); Ilona (She Loves Me); and Gloria (Grace & Glorie), which earned her a Kevin Kline Award. When she is not performing, Jenni is helping Missouri kiddos experience the arts through her position as arts education specialist for the Missouri Arts Council. She is grateful to have this incredible artistic opportunity at the West End Players Guild.
Bethany Barr (Hazel)
Bethany is amazed to join this West End Players Guild collaboration! Other local roles: We All Fall Down, Bev, (New Jewish Theatre); Emma, Ms. Crisp, (O’Fallon Theatre Works); Suddenly Last Summer, Miss Foxhill (Tennessee Williams Festival St. Louis); Shakespeare in Love, Nurse, (O'Fallon Theatre Works); Sublime Intimacy, Katherine Reilly, (Max and Louie Productions); The Death of Atahualpa, the Princess (Upstream Theater); Caroline or Change, Rose (St. Louis Black Repertory Theatre). Bethany is the vocalist for Di Kamer Kapelye, Klezmer Band and weekly soloist/choir support for several area churches. Love and gratitude to friends and family for their support. Praise to God for life!
Tom Kopp (Robin)
Tom is excited to be back onstage for the first time in a decade since his nominated turn in Educating Rita here at WEPG in 2016. "The Children" marks Tom's tenth production with West End Players Guild - 7 onstage and 3 from the director's chair. Tom would like to thank Jennie for the opportunity, his cast mates for their collaboration and dedication, all the work besties who picked up the slack over the last four weeks, and Susan for the endless wellspring of support.
Jennie Brick (Director)
Jennie has been making theatre in one capacity or another for over fifty years. She began her directing career in London in the early 1980’s writing, producing, and directing “The Maestro” which toured throughout England for over five years. Her directing continued during her decades living in Southern and Northern California. As an actor, Jennie has performed locally, nationally and internationally and is a proud member of the Actors’ Equity Association. She could not be more delighted to make her St. Louis directing debut with this production of “The Children”. Working on these characters with such incredibly talented actors has been a gift. Taking this journey with the miracle that is Kevin Johnson has been a dream come true. So much gratitude to West End Players’ Guild (especially Anna Blair) for inviting us to bring this story to life. Love and thanks always to B.
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