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Mike Ricci's Production of
Still Life with Iris 

Cast

Iris (a young girl)	. . .	Emily Milani
Man, Mr. Matternot, Dad	. . .	Joe Galatz
Hazel	. . .	McCall Kochevar
Elmer	. . .	Luke Kingsbury
Flower Painter, Third String	. . .	Sarah Lees
Memory Mender	. . .	Tess Enroth
Thunder Bottler #1. Mr. Otherguy	. . .	Michael McLaughlin
Thunder Bottler #2 Mr. Himtoo	. . .	Kevin Thompson
Leaf Monitor, Captain Also	. . .	Amy Pohl
Bolt Bender, Ray	. . .	Tony Sterle
Rain Maker, Annabel Lee	. . .	Megan Pavich
Grotto Good	. . .	Timothy P. O'Reilly
Gretta Good	. . .	Mandy Traaseth
Mozart	. . .	Josh Milani

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Crew

Stage Manager	. . .	Bill Lah
Assistant Stage Manager	. . .	Mary Chiaravalle
Technical Director/ Sound Engineer	. . .	Dan Dolinar
Production Manager/ Asst. Technical Director	. . .	Mike Ricci
Set Design/Scenic Artist	. . .	Ellie Ricci
Lighting Design	. . .	Lee Fiskness
Original Music Score	. . .	Joe Gibbon
Costumes	. . .	Laura Piotrosky, Bobbi Sajevic, Mike Ricci
Props	. . .	Gretchen Mayer
Dance Choreography	. . .	Kelly Sue Coyle
Scenic Painting	. . .	Dave Wirkula, Jamie Taylor, Scott Hollenback, David Graham
Set Construction	. . .	Dan Dolinar, Mike Ricci, Bill Lah, Deanna Ziebarth, James Curtis, LeRen Bounds, Givenchy George
Backstage Crew	. . .	Bill Lah (crew chief), Alex Lah, Sammy Lah, LeRen Bounds, Deanna Ziebarth
Light Board Operator	. . .	James Curtis
Sound Board Operator	. . .	Dan Dolinar
Billboard Artwork/ Poster Design	. . .	Ellie Ricci
Box Office	. . .	Barb Such, Dorothy Simkins
Concessions	. . .	Kerry Milani, Dana Kelly, Molly Johnsrud

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Director Notes

How many of us have wondered what happens in the world while we are asleep? While we retreat into the land of dreams, many others are working to make the world that we see every day something special and magical. Children's author and illustrator Cooper Edens, in his book entitled "Caretakers of  Wonder" imagined a place in which all of the things that we see by day are made in a magical land at night - these include raindrops, snowflakes, leaves on trees - in short, everything that exists in nature. Playwright Steven Dietz took this idea and expanded it into his full length play - "Still Life With Iris", giving this magical land the name of "Nocturno", and introducing us to a young girl named Iris, who is taken from her home and family in Nocturno, and must go on a perilous journey to find her way back home again. As in many adventure stories, it is in the journey itself where one finds what is truly important, and Iris is no different. With the help of two very special friends she meets along the way, she discovers that what she was looking for was very close to her all along. Too often we grow away from our childhood as we get older, perhaps a natural progression for adults to go through. But in that "growing up" process, we lose something precious - our ability to believe in our dreams and to see the world as a magical place that never stops fascinating us. Perhaps that is part of what we should seek to re-discover - seeing this most amazing world of ours with new eyes and a new appreciation for all that is in it. As Iris finds out, she is part of a very unique community of people that are all connected by a shared history. One need only look around them to see that this is true for all of us as well. Let's not be afraid to reach out and embrace each other - because, when all is said and done, we're all we have.

 
From an inspired set design by my wife Ellie, who created another world on stage, to lighting designer Lee Fiskness, whose lighting effects transform the stage into a magical place, to Joe Gibbon, whose musical talents now extend to the creation for a musical landscape complete with a very special song, and finally, to Emily Milani, whose presence on stage is nothing short of amazing. Her work and the work of all of the very wonderful, talented actors, backstage crew and production people make this story one that will be remembered for quite some time. I'd also like to extend a special thank you to Gretchen Mayer, who has done props for every show I have directed here at HCC Theatre. Her dedication to helping secure some very difficult to find props, and willingness to volunteer at every opportunity is sincerely appreciated. Without her help, things would have been much more difficult. As a director, I am so fortunate to have the help of all of these people. I've always felt that we, as a community, are much richer for the efforts of our artists, sharing their talents with you. This, then, is our gift to you. Enjoy!

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Play Photos

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