My friend Peggy wrote a one-woman show. My friend Hope is the actor. And I want us all to go! Really, these are two of the funniest, smartest people I know, and I am so excited that their creative endeavors are getting produced. I’m going the second week-end if you want to make a date with me. Here’s the blurb:

Charisma
Performed by Hope Wechkin
Directed by Cathy Madden
Written by Margaret Shafer
with Music Composed by Hope Wechkin



“Charisma” is a one-woman comedy, laced with a few serious bits, about a hospital patient in her thirties who faces down a stream of visitors bearing dour advice, dire predictions and drastic schemes for healing. A crystal healer, a diet-obsessed aunt, a Brazilian tapir and a doctor in love with his own charm are a few of the characters who people this one-woman show.

Hope Wechkin, known to Seattle audiences for premiering new works for voice and violin, composed the score to the lyrics in the play written by Margaret Shafer, whose collection of poetry was published by New Rivers Press. Ms. Wechkin, as the sole performer, accompanies herself on the violin, mandolin and a variety of percussion instruments.

Director Cathy Madden is Assistant Professor of Drama for the University of Washington’s Professional Actor Training Program. Her most recent productions at the University have been The Mill on the Floss, The Portrait The Wind The Chair, The Mischiefmakers, Mother Teresa is Dead, Far Away, Bold Girls, and Two Sisters and a Piano.

There will be four performances of Charisma in the Bullitt Cabaret at ACT: February 22 and 23; February 29 and March 1, 2008. Tickets may be purchased from the ACT box office after January 15.