The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds
The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds by Paul Zindel
A Senior Directing Thesis by Nicole Capobianco
Performances March 3rd - 5th at 7:30 in Tawes Theatre in Gibson Center for the Arts.
The old, converted vegetable shop where Tillie lives is more like a madhouse than a home. Tillie’s mother, Beatrice, is bitter and cruel, yet desperate for her daughters’ love. Her sister, Ruth, suffers epileptic fits and sneaks cigarettes every chance she gets. In the midst of chaos, Tillie struggles to keep her focus and dreams alive. Tillie – keeper of rabbits, dreamer of atoms, true believer in life, hope, and the effect of gamma rays on man-in-the-moon marigolds.
All photos by Paul W. Gillepsie
02/18/2016
Polly Sommerfield as Beatrice.
Abbey Wark '18 as Ruth and Polly Sommerfield as Beatrice.
Grace O'Connor '16 as Tillie and Abbey Wark '18 as Ruth.
Beatrice and Tillie before the Science Fair.
Beatrice tells Ruth stories about her father.
Nanny gingerly crosses the stage.
Tillie during her opening monologue about the magic of the atom.
Beatrice on one of her many phone calls with the principal of Ruth and Tillie's school.
Tillie expresses her excitement about a cloud chamber.
Beatrice refuses to allow Tillie to go to school, insisting that she stay home and clean up rabbit droppings.
Tillie tenderly plants the seeds of her marigolds, which have been exposed to Cobalt 60.
Beatrice speaks with Nanny, whom she is hired to care for.
The show featured a live rabbit, whose real life name is Molly.
Tillie and Beatrice comfort Ruth after her seizure.
The cast takes a final bow.