ESU’s 63rd annual season of Summer Theatre opens its final show July 26-29 at 7:30 p.m. with Tom Dudzick’s charming new comedy “Miracle on South Divison Street,” directed by Bob Hart.
The show explores the lives of the Nowak family in Buffalo, New York. Clara (Torin Horvik Fargo, ND), the mother of the family, will not be brought down by the unfortunate circumstances of the poor area surrounding her, and runs a soup kitchen with a smile on her face and her faith in God on her mind. Her daughter, Ruth (Lizzi Tate, Sand Springs, OK), hopes to “go public” with the family legend — the Virgin Mary materializing in the barbershop of Clara’s father in 1942 — with a one-woman play about the sacred event.
The whole family’s faith is shaken, however, after a deathbed confession threatens to unravel the Nowak family legend. The Nowaks coming together in spite of adversity leads to hilarious and heartfelt results. The company also includes cast members Matthew Mahr (Overland Park) as Jimmy and Kaitlin Pelegrin (Olathe) as Beverly.
Costumes are designed by Amanda Dura, who will also manage the costume shop staff, including McKenzie Needham (Andover), Fran Opheim (Olathe) and Rachel Muirhead (Hays), and Seongeun Yoo (Pohang, South Korea). Chris Lohkamp is the scenic designer and manages the scene shop. The scene shop crew includes Stephen Holbert (Olathe), Samantha Garcia (Emporia), Maddie Simmons (Emporia), Tyler Lang (Wichita), Semaj Smith (Salina), Zulema Renteria (Emporia), Madison Joye Schultz (Topeka), Ethan Crapser (Overland Park), and Justin Scheck (Gardner).
Logan Wohlford (Valley Center) is the Stage Manager and Evan Grantham (Girard) is the Assistant Stage Manager. Isabella Harvey (McPherson) is the lighting designer and Tyler Lang (Wichita) is the prop master. Paige Lundin (Wichita) is the House Manager.
“Miracle on South Division Street” runs July 26-29 at 7:30 PM in the Karl C. Bruder Theatre in King Hall at Emporia State University. For tickets to these performances, visit the Memorial Union Ticket Office, go online at tickets.emporia.edu or call 620-341-6378.