Blizzard!

Oddfellows Playhouse’s Junior Repertory Company presents Snow Angel by Pulitzer Prize winning playwright, David Lindsay-Abaire. The play runs April 26-28 at 7:30pm.

The small town of Deerpoint has been hit by the biggest blizzard in 107 years. 15 teens must brave the stormy weather to help a mysterious girl named Eva in her puzzling search for a mystery that unites, divides and perplexes the group. A humorous, eerie tale of faith and friendship, Lindsay-Abaire shrouds the stress and strife of teens growning up in a ghostly mystery.

“Part of the reason that we were attracted to the play, was the way it dealt with the teens in the play and the themes around “bullying” and “positive school environment”. It is a more subtle exploration of the topic than many plays you find for young audiences, and that is what you get when you have a seriously credible playwright crafting the story,” said Executive Director Matthew Pugliese.

The Playhouse and Junior Repertory tackled the themes right from the beginning of the rehearsal process. Partnering with the Rushford Center through special funding from the Middlesex County Community Foundation’s Council of Business Partners, staff led conversations with the students early on, focused on their own personal experiences with “bullying” and how to bring those experiences, similar or different, to the life of the characters they were creating.

"We fully recognize that schools alone cannot tackle the complex issue of bullying. Community partners must be involved in and supportive of the process of promoting diversity and acceptance Oddfellows through their theater and the arts programs have for many years been engaged in positive youth development programs, so partnering with them seemed to be a perfect match. We hope to see this program grow and spread to communities beyond Middletown,” said Sheryl Sprague of the Rushford Center.

"The Oddfellows Junior Rep Company welcomed the conversation with Sheryl Sprague and her prevention professionals from Rushford. The children seemed open to share their stories of when they themselves have felt bullied, teased or excluded. They were also willing to share honestly when they have chosen to keep quiet or act as a bystander when another was being picked on. The important message to these actors is to continue to be agents for change. The time spent together was insightful; conversation and introspection continued with the company as we moved forward in developing the characters of Snow Angel” said director Lorra Webb.

The cast will continue to explore the themes and work on being youth ambassadors when they host a special matinee performance for sixth grade students, and participate in a community conversation with their peers about the play. Youth service and prevention professionals from throughout Middlesex County will also be participating in the special show and conversation.

The production runs April 26-28. All performances begin at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 for Adults and $8 for Students/Seniors. Thursday April 26th Oddfellows will be collecting canned food items for Amazing Grace Food Pantry, anyone that brings a canned food item will save $2 off their ticket price. Tickets are available online at www.oddfellows.org or by calling 860-347-6143.

The production is made possible by major support from CT State Department of Education, CT Department of Economic and Community Development Office of the Arts, Middlesex United Way, The Stare Fund, Pratt & Whitney, the Middletown Commission on the Arts, and Daphne Sebolt Culpeper Foundation. Special support from the Middlesex County Community Foundation’s Council of Business Partners, Price Chopper’s Golub Foundation and Tower Laboratories. Media support provided by Comcast and WESU 88.1FM.

About Oddfellows Playhouse:
Oddfellows Playhouse is located at 128 Washington Street, Middletown. For more than 35 years Oddfellows Playhouse has been more than just a performing arts program. It aims to make a positive difference in the lives of 1,500 young people each year by using the arts as tools to build self-confidence, communication skills, a sense of responsibility, and an appreciation for the richness and diversity of the world in which we live.