UVSC Premieres Rings of the Tree
By Mahonri Stewart | 8.25.07
I hope that folks don’t mind a bit of self-promotion. I’m very proud of this project. Here’s the press release:
In consequence to Utah Valley State College’s new four year degree in theater, the UVSC Department of Theatrical Arts for Stage and Screen is sponsoring national award winning playwright’s Rings of the Tree. The play is Stewart’s senior project, the first such project to be approved by UVSC, making it a major milestone in the newly changed department’s progress. The performances will be held in UVSC’s Blackbox Theater (Gunther Trade Building, Room 631) September 6-8 at 7:30 pm, with an additional matinee performance on September 8 at 2:00 pm.
Rings of the Tree is the story of Diana Applesong, a Victorian who, in consequence of a tragic life, has shut out the world. Protecting herself in the folds of her mansion while keeping only the company of her servants and a couple of other necessary associates, she has lived the life of a hermit. Yet when a group of young explorers enter into her life, she embarks on a journey of self discovery and revelation that rocks the protective layers of her life.
“The story is intimate and epic at the same time,” said playwright Stewart. “It has characters whose inner worlds are everything to them, but who have been so shaped by shocking outside events that they have a difficult time coping with the inevitable consequences of life. It starts out with many of the earmarks of my previous shows, but then takes a dramatc shift from my other plays.”
Rings of the Tree is directed by Sarah Stewart and is stage managed by Tiffany Shaw. The play stars Jamie Dennison, Jordan Cumming, Mahonri Stewart, Sara Preston, Penny Omer, Daniel Whiting, Brynn Dalton, Bryce Bishop and Matthew P. Davis. Tickets are $5.00. Call UVSC Campus Connection at (801) 863-8797 for tickets.
8.25.07 | 10:54 pm | comment permalink |
William, I also have a picture for this, but can’t figure out how to put it on the site.
8.26.07 | 4:00 pm | comment permalink |
Times like this I regret living approx. 250 mi. away from Utah Valley. I’d love to see Rings of the Tree. Good luck with your project, Mahonri!
8.26.07 | 4:40 pm | comment permalink |
Aw, come on Patricia, 250 miles isn’t that far away, is it? You’ll be missed.
By the way, finished Pictograph Murders– LOVED it. I hope to find the time to write a proper review here at some point.
8.26.07 | 5:50 pm | comment permalink |
Maybe not in miles, but in gas dollars it’s downright prohibitive! Maybe you can do something during AML writer’s conf., which is coming up in a month or two. Or three. I try my best to save up and make those.
8.26.07 | 6:54 pm | comment permalink |
Oh, I was joking, Patricia. Gas prices are horrendous. But I think a staged reading or something at the AML Conference would be awesome. I wonder if they would let me. Hmmm…
8.26.07 | 9:37 pm | comment permalink |
What? You mean you didn’t really mean I should burn up 250 mi. (500 round trip) to see your play? Where’s your over-confidence? Where’s your sense of self-importance?
Do see if you CAN land a staged reading at the conf. I’ll grab a front row seat there.
8.28.07 | 12:21 pm | comment permalink |
Mahonri,
I see that you are also involved in the new FACE theater company in Provo, a company that plans to do several new plays. Can you tell us something about this group?
8.28.07 | 2:11 pm | comment permalink |
Wow, you’re one step ahead of me, Andrew. I have sent off interview questions to Eric and Mary Heaps, two of the founders of FACE, so once they have answered those, I’ll be posting that. The interview will be giving many more details, including their full season.
For now I’ll say this, they are an mabitious group. Most of their season is classic/academic sort of works and they also have a good deal of new plays they are producing in their season (including two of mine). I’m involved as a playwright, director and now have a job with them in their marketing. I’m very excited.
They are still clearing out their new space and making sure everything is up to code before they can open. They are projecting to open in early October.
8.29.07 | 8:09 am | comment permalink |
Hey, thanks for posting the press release — I’d heard it was next week but didn’t have any of the details. I’ll be there. :)
8.30.07 | 3:18 pm | comment permalink |
Thanks, Ben! Come and find me afterwards and we’ll talk.
9.12.07 | 11:19 pm | comment permalink |
Hi Mahonri! I wish I could have seen your play. I hope to make it down to one of them soon.
I have an ulterior motive in contacting you. I’d really like to get back in touch with Anne. I haven’t heard from her in forever! If you could give her my e-mail address, or e-mail me for my phone number, I would be so grateful to you.
Thanks!
Rachel
9.13.07 | 11:28 pm | comment permalink |
Hey, Rachel!
Send me an e-mail to remind me your e-mail address and I’ll get Anne in touch with you!
9.22.07 | 9:51 pm | comment permalink |
Mahonri,
I just heard about your work through Dane Allred, he recommended I look you up in regards to a project I am working on.
I am so disappointed to have missed the Rings of the Tree and would like to know what is up next for you.
I attended the AML convention for the first time this summer and really enjoyed it; am planning on attending in, I believe it is November, and do hope that you will be doing a reading since your work has come so highly recommended.
Wishing you continued success!
Stacy Lynn Moisant
9.23.07 | 5:06 pm | comment permalink |
Stacy,
Thanks for the well wishing! What’s the prject you’re working on? I’m kind of crazy schedule wise right now, but let me know about it and we’ll see what we can do.
How do you know Dane? I haven’t seen him since he and I did Parley’s Great Escape together– ah, memories. If you go to “Contact” button and e-mail the Motley Vision site, then it will get to me down the pipeline.
–Mahonri