It’s not hard to find A Good Woman if you make one of the shows on stage at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Metcalf Theater.
A Good Woman, based on Bertolt Brecht’s The Good Soul of Szechuan, will open at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2 at Metcalf Theater. Other 7:30 p.m. show times are Saturday, Dec. 3 and Wednesday, Dec. 7-Saturday, Dec. 10. Sunday 2 p.m. matinees are Dec. 4 and Dec. 11.
The show explores what it takes to be good, in a world that is not so good, according to the director Chuck Harper, professor in the Department of Theater and Dance.
When three low-ranked angels are sent to Earth to find “a good woman,” actions are set into motion that no gods or humans foresaw. Shen Te is a poor, but warm-hearted prostitute, and because she alone is willing to shelter the three angels they favor her with a gift of wealth. With her newfound fortune, Shen Te purchases a shop, but quickly discovers her kinsfolk and other customers take advantage of her kindness. Her tough, no-nonsense cousin, Wanga helps to right these wrongs and set her affairs in order. But ultimately, Wang is accused of murdering Shen Te and is forced to reveal a startling secret!
“This is a play that I have always wanted to work on, more because I wanted to figure it out than because I had an idea of what I wanted to do with it,” Harper said. “In our adaptation, we’ve rewritten the play based on several translations. It is simple in its presentation, but the situations and questions are quite complex. This version of the play is not intended for children due to the adult language.”
“In an effort to create a dynamic and varied production, we have shortened the play’s text considerably, while adding poetry and music,” continued Harper. “Our department’s poet, Kenny (Kenneth) Coleman, has rewritten the poetry into a spoken word format. Kenny has recreated several songs and poems using his unique, individual talents.”
The artistic and production crew for A Good Woman includes James Wulfsong, set and lighting design; Abigail Polley, costume design; Alex Weikle, stage manager; and Harper, also doing sound design.
General admission is $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and others (non-SIUE students with a valid school I.D., SIUE retirees, alumni, faculty and staff). SIUE students are free with a valid I.D. Discounted tickets are available for groups of 10 or more.
For more information or to purchase tickets, call the Theater & Dance Box Office at 618-650-2774 or toll free at 1-888-328-5168, extension 2774, visit siue.edu/artsandsciences/theater or send a message to theater-tickets@siue.edu.
SIUE’s Department of Theater & Dance presents four plays and one dance concert during its October through April season. All productions are open to the community at large. The Department of Theater & Dance is part of the College of Arts and Sciences.
Central to SIUE’s exceptional and comprehensive education, the College of Arts and Sciences has 19 departments and 85 areas of study. More than 300 full-time faculty/instructors deliver classes to more than 8,000 undergraduate and graduate students. Faculty help students explore diverse ideas and experiences, while learning to think and live as fulfilled, productive members of the global community. Study abroad, service-learning, internships, and other experiential learning opportunities better prepare SIUE students not only to succeed in our region's workplaces, but also to become valuable leaders who make important contributions to our communities.
Photo courtesy by Valerie Goldston:
Pictured in the background from left to right: Ryan Burns, Maddie Chinn and Matthew Anderson. In the foreground are Thalia Cruz (left) and Kenneth D.R. Coleman.