Grab a camp chair or a blanket and enjoy a night of laughs under the stars as the theater department presents “The Book of Liz” in the Fountain Courtyard this weekend.
The play, by brother and sister duo David and Amy Sedaris, centers around Sister Elizabeth Donderstock who feels unappreciated in her convent even though it is her cheese balls that sustain the entire religious community. When she is unceremoniously replaced as cheese ball maker, she decides to see what the outside world holds. Her experiences as well as the fallout her absence brings to the convent, make for a mix of satire and silliness, and one heck of a fun night for the audience. The Colt sat down with some of the actors and director Jamie Pringle to find out more about the production.
The Colt: Tell me about your character and what attracted you to them.
Gracie Crawford: Sister Elizabeth Donderstack is really awkward and quirky but she cares a lot about people. I see a lot of myself in her. She has a pure heart and I just love getting to bring her alive.
Burnice Huddleston: Reverend Tollhouse is the father figure and he keeps everything together. This role is something new for me. It is a bigger role for me so it is a new opportunity.
Teddy Upton: Brother Nathaniel Brightbee is very proper and he thinks he can do anything but when he can’t figure something out he acts like a baby. I wanted one of the lead male roles so I would have been happy with either part but Brightbee is fun to play.
River Russell: Sister Butterworth is very gossipy and excitable but she values her home and knows her people will protect her. She seems very shallow but there’s actually a lot more to her in her monologue.
TC: What do you enjoy about this play?
GC: I really like that it’s a comedy. I have lots of one-on-one scenes with other characters and I really like that.
BH: I enjoy the people I’m in the play with, the new connections and relationships I’ve made with new friends.
TU: It is really funny. And there are some interesting scenes to work out so the process to work through them is cool.
RR: This is my first comedy and it is interesting to see the difference from tragedies.
TC: What can people expect when they come to see “The Book of Liz”?
GC: I think they’ll be very like “woah” confused but in a good way. It is a whole other world that no one’s been in before.
BH: They should expect to have mixed emotions, it is funny but it can be sad.
TU: They need to pay close attention because there are small details that work towards the plot.
RR: The audience should expect a lot of surprises and big personalities.
Jamie Pringle: It is a really funny show so they should have a great time.
“The Book of Liz” will be held Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. in the Fountain Courtyard. Guests will enter through the new B hall doors. Tickets can be purchased by scanning the QR code.
