Get ready for a delightful evening of laughter and heart as Darlington's fine arts department and the Darlington Players present "The Curious Savage" by John Patrick. This charming comedy will take the stage Oct. 25-27 in the Zelle Black Box Theatre. Showtimes are 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday.
"The Curious Savage" tells the story of Ethel Savage, a kind-hearted widow who inherits $10 million from her late husband. Instead of conforming to societal expectations, Ethel decides to fulfill her lifelong dream of helping others. However, her plans are met with resistance from her materialistic stepchildren, who are determined to keep her fortune for themselves. To thwart her, they have Ethel committed to a sanatorium, where she meets a cast of quirky and endearing characters, each with their own struggles and dreams. As they navigate their peculiar realities, Ethel’s courage and kindness spark unexpected transformations.
"The cast and crew are excited to showcase this beloved classic for our community this fall," said Theater Director Shelley Daniel. "We can’t wait to welcome audiences through the doors of the Zelle Black Box. This year, our Upper school has embraced the theme 'Get wisdom,' and 'The Curious Savage' embodies this value beautifully. Ethel’s journey reminds us that true wisdom often comes from understanding and compassion, rather than mere knowledge or power. As students and audience members alike witness her quest to make meaningful connections, we are reminded of the importance of kindness and the insights gained through our interactions with others."
This production features a talented cast and crew of 28 Upper School students, showcasing their skills in acting, technical theater, stagecraft, design and teamwork. The show features a wonderful mix of new and seasoned actors and crew, with publicity and poster design conceived by junior Temira Bolds and the show’s original music composed by junior Sound Designer Reese Bell. The set, designed and built by the stagecraft class celebrates a unique mix of cottagecore and the 1950s aesthetic, based on their supporting thematic analysis. Costumes for the show were designed by the fall play costuming iPeriod.
"'The Curious Savage' is a beautiful exploration of what it means to truly live and love," said Daniel. "We’re excited to bring this heartwarming story to life."
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to enjoy a show that celebrates the joy of human connection and the importance of following one’s heart. Come and be part of the magic of live theater at Darlington School!
Reserve free tickets to the show of your choosing by clicking the links below:
Friday, Oct. 25, 6 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 26, 6 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 27, 2 p.m.
Cast:
Ethel P. Savage - Mily James ('25)
Lily Belle Savage - Angeline Myrie ('25)
Titus Savage - Harrison Inman ('26)
Samuel Savage - Ray Chen ('26)
Florence - Nixon Prior ('25)
Mrs. Paddy - Alli Robinson ('25)
Fairy Mae - Kensie Waller ('26)
Jeffrey - Ansel Enverga ('25)
Hannibal - Kylan Ferrell ('28)
Doctor Emmett - Sara Jo Pierce ('27)
Miss Wilhelmina - Temira Bolds ('26)
Dr. Johnson - Eloghosa Eke ('25)
Miriam, Crew - Caroline Sawhill ('27)
Lily Belle's Assistant - Arike Akinbolagbe ('25)
Nurse, Crew - Brynen Herron ('28)
Nurse, Crew - Mary Nguyen ('27)
Leadership:
Stage Manager - Moa Berglund ('25)
Assistant Stage Manager - Daniella Argamasilla ('25)
Assistant Stage Manager - SK McQueen ('26)
Designers:
Sound Designer - Reese Bell ('26)
Poster Designer - Temira Bolds ('26)
Crew:
Sound Board - Reese Bell ('26)
Light Board - Brecken Laliberte ('25)
Crew - Callie Eady ('28)
Crew - Camille Cross ('27)
Crew - Ella Peer ('27)
Crew - Eliza Shepard ('27)
Crew - Minh Chau ('26)
Crew - Makayla Edorhe ('26)
Crew - Megan Pinkley ('26)
Set Design & Construction:
Mae Adoptie ('26)
Mary Hanson Borders ('26)
Minh Chau ('26)
Aidan Gonzalez ('28)
Brynen Herron ('28)
Alisa Huang ('28)
Randy Kim ('27)
Tofarati Opaleye ('26)
Eliza Shepard ('27)
Annie Wang ('25)
Ashley Will ('27)
Fall Play Costuming & Tech Support iPeriod:
Mae Adoptie ('26)
Moa Berglund ('25)
Amelia Deupree ('25)
SK McQueen ('26)
Eliza Shepard ('27)
Kensie Waller ('26)
Ava Ann Woods ('26)