White River Valley Players Present

Cast members Tom McElhaney, Christine Meagher (foreground), Ferron Griffin, and Doug Kingsbury in the Wite River Valley Players production of "Ah, Wilderness." (Herald / Jeff Mather)

‘Ah, Wilderness!’ in Rochester

The White River Valley Players of Rochester will present Eugene O’Neill’s three-act comedy, "Ah, Wilderness!" April 25 and 26 and May 2 and 3 at 8 p.m.; and April 27 and May 4 at 2 p.m. at the Rochester High School auditorium.

O’Neill won three Pulitzer Prizes before he wrote his 28^th play and only comedy, "Ah Wilderness!" about the family he wished he had.

Set in 1906 in New Haven, Conn., it tells the story of 16-year-old Richard Miller and his obsession: the sumptuous language of exotic poetry. Spurned by his true love, Muriel McComber, on the Fourth of July, Richard sets out on a rebellious adventure into an adult world. Gin fizzes and the amorous cunning of a local tart bring his loyal family to the rescue.

Richard’s father, Nat, is a newspaper editor who may dither about explaining the facts of life to his son but who stands up for him when it counts; and the family also includes his mother, Essie; his spinster aunt, Lily Miller; and alcoholic uncle, Sid Davis.

The WRVP production of "Ah, Wilderness!" is directed by Jeanne Rogow and produced by Jeremy Seeger. The cast includes Greg Crawford as Nat Miller, Cari Burkard as Essie Miller, Graham Leathers as Arthur Miller, Doug Kingsbury as Richard Miller, Eryn Smith as Mildred Miller, and Abraham Doughty as Tommy Miller.

Also onstage will be Scott Rotman as Sid Davis, Elaine Cissi as Lily Miller, Robert Melik Finkle as David McComber, Hannah Doughty as Muriel McComber, David Crowley as Wint Selby, Christine Meagher as Belle and Nora, Tom McElhaney as the bartender and Ferron Griffin as the salesman.

"’Ah, Wilderness!’ is about love, family ties and one boy’s sweet but determined quest for independence and truth," Rogow says. "Despite the fact that this play takes place over a hundred years ago, it feels very modern. The seduction of text messaging, video games and the internet were not a concern then, but the perils of a modern world and its grip on teenagers were. Today’s parents can identify with Nat and Essie Miller’s worries and see the humor in life’s difficulties." 

Theatergoers will also have an opportunity to peruse a lobby display of period photographs put together by the Rochester Historical Society.

Tickets may be purchased in advance at Judy Jensen’s Clay Studio and the White River Credit Union in Rochester village and by calling Jeremy Seeger at 767-3790 or Judy Jensen at 767-3271. They will also be sold at the door prior to each performance.

____________