THANK YOU FOR YOR SUPPORT
DRINKS, SNACKS ARE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE IN THE LOBBY
All proceeds goes towards our kids traveling performance groups
KIDS
A VERY SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS FOR OUR PRODUCTION OF
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
Agility Physical Therapy in League City Tx
James Wimmer
CostumeWorx in Houston Tx
Switzerland Director’s Note
by David Schultz
Welcome to Switzerland! This show is about Patricia Highsmith, author of The Talented Mr. Ripley (and its sequels), Strangers on a Train (adapted into the Hitchcock movie), and many other popular novels. Most of her books are suspense thrillers dealing with good and evil (mainly the latter) and the duality of those traits in, well, almost everyone if we’re being honest.
Our show touches on these same issues. But more importantly, it considers the complex nature of authorship and writing. Indeed, probably no other play dives more deeply into the hopes, inspirations, doubts, and fears of a working writer. As Highsmith herself put it, “writing is a substitute for the life I cannot live.”
The play begins in 1994 with Highsmith living out her later years alone in her bunker-like home in the Swiss Alps, banging away at the typewriter as she does every day. Her work is interrupted by a young agent from her American publisher visiting from New York. He arrives in an attempt to persuade her to do something she no longer thinks she is capable of. Then things get a little complicated …
With the recent Ripley miniseries on Netflix and the upcoming movie version of this play starring Helen Mirren, we’re enjoying a bit of a Highsmith renaissance, and I couldn’t be happier. Although she may not have been the nicest person around (the script wryly notes her “challenging” personality), she was without a doubt a brilliant writer. I hope you’ll want to discover her oeuvre (that is, body of work) after seeing our show.
In my opinion, it’s not that hard to be a good director. You only need to find a great script and then find great people to stage it. I sincerely thank the following great people for helping me do just that:
Deborah Winters Chaney and Camden Loyless, for working hard, digging deep into these characters, and portraying them so vividly.
Nori Head, for managing our stage with skill, patience, and good humor.
Amy Keels, for building our set and especially our wall of weapons.
Cathy Holbrook, for running the show and making it all possible.
And you, the audience, for coming out and supporting live theater.
MEET THE SWITZERLAND CAST AND DIRECTOR
Deborah Winters Chaney (Patricia Highsmith)
Deborah began her film career when she was 14 in NYC. She has worked in several films including, Me, Natalie - Hail Hero - The People Next Door - Class of '44 - Kotch - Blue Sunshine - The Lamp/The Outing, and has also worked in episodic television shows, Movies of the Week, a CBS Playhouse, and the Mini Series, "Winds of War." She has also performed in commercials and documentaries, (AY2K: A World in Crisis; America: Call to Greatness). She has thoroughly enjoyed working with her co-star, Camden Loyless, and appreciates Director, David Schultz, very much. This is the second Play, David has directed her in. The first was Ripcord. Deborah says, his creative talent, emotional support, and extreme patience, working with neurotic actors -- has been much needed and appreciated! AND the Stage Manager, Nori Head, working the decoration of the set and helping Deborah with her lines, have both been of critical importance, as well! Deborah is married to writer/director, Warren H. Chaney. She is a Realtor with THE Realty Partnership, and attends Bay Area Christian Church in Webster. She thanks you for joining us and for supporting Friendswood’s very own Community Theater!
Camden Loyless (Edward Ridgeway)
Camden is a senior at Dawson High School. He is a member of the varsity Encore Choir, the DHS Thespian Society, and is captain of the Ovation Theatre Improv Troupe. Production highlights include: The Sound of Music, Love and Information, Matilda, Almost Maine, Hairspray, Something Rotten, and a starring role as Will Bloom in the musical Big Fish. Camden also played Mr. Fitzpatrick in the UIL One Act Play of Secret in the Wings, earning accolades such as best performer and honorable mention all-star cast.
David Schultz (Director)
is thrilled to be directing again at Purple Box Theater after debuting with Ripcord in 2022. He has performed at several theaters throughout the Houston area, including Purple Box. Some of his favorite roles include Ben Hecht in Moonlight and Magnolias and Juror #3 in Twelve Angry Jurors. Along with the people mentioned in his note, he thanks his family for their love, patience, and support.
CREW
Director................................................David Schultz
Stage Manager....................................Nori Head
Set .............................................Nori Head, Amy Keels,Cathy Holbrook
Music...................................................David Schultz
Lighting Design....................................Cathy Holbrook
COMING UP AT THE BOX
OCTOBER 25, 26, 27
Directed by
Alec Wimmer
Featuring
Terry Jones, Mineheart Natividad and Hannah Vedder
NEIGHBORHOOD NOEL
A Holiday Comedy
by Greg Beastrom
AUDITIONS
SEPT 23 AT 7:30
(Adult Roles)
SEPT 24 at 7:00
(Kids Roles)
SHOW DATES
DEC 6-15
It's Christmastime in the neighborhood and that means decoration contests and bake sales.
After all, what brings a neighborhood together more than some healthy competition?
Brad Fuller wins the decoration contest every year, while his wife, Amanda, takes home the baking prize.
But this year, Arnie Farkus and his wife, Tracy, are out to settle the score.
Meanwhile, everyone else in town, from Ed the mailman to Charlene the Sunshine Lady, has their own agenda,
Amid the annual tree-decorating contest, a custody fight and a mother-in-law’s visit, chaos erupts and it takes seven neighborhood children to remind everyone the true meaning of Christmas
REHEARSALS
Monday, Tuesday and Thursday evenings
Auditions consist of a cold reading from the script
NOW PLAYING
AUDITIONS
