ACT II’s ‘The Vigil’ opens March 28

March 26, 2007 10:15 am

— ADA — ACT II ‘s Easter drama "The Vigil" opens March 28-31 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, April 1, at 2 p.m. at the Norris Performing Arts Center, 1450 Cradduck Road.
On the Friday night before Easter, a gardener stands accused of stealing the body of Jesus of Nazareth. The major players in the Resurrection gather to give their eyewitness accounts of the mysterious events leading to the disappearance of Jesus' body. What was the connection between Pilate's wife and the gardener? Why did Pilate allow Jesus to be killed and then order his tomb guarded? Who was the contact man between Mary Magdalene and governor's wife? Why didn't the followers of Jesus identify the body on public display that the Romans claimed was their Messiah? What secret orders did the Jewish high priests give the soldiers guarding the tomb? Was there a conspiracy to steal the body of Jesus? The answers are revealed in "The Vigil."
Stephen B. Bagley will direct this stunning courtroom drama, written by classic movie director Ladislas Fodor. Bagley previously directed "Murder at the Witch's Cottage," "Murder on the Rerun," "Turnabout," and "Rumors" for ACT II. He wrote "Murder at the Witch's Cottage" and "Writers in the Hands of An Angry God," and co-wrote "Turnabout," all of which premiered at ACT II.
"It's a moving, powerful drama," Bagley said. "It takes the Easter story and examines it in a fresh new way. The play raises questions and presents surprising answers. I'm glad that ACT II chose it for the spring schedule, and I'm pleased I was given the opportunity to direct such a great play."
The cast includes:
Nancy Cheper as Lady Procula. Cheper works in Outpatient Physical Therapy Department at Valley View Regional Hospital and has been in numerous ACT II plays, including "Murder at the Witch's Cottage," "Murder on the Rerun" and "The Glass Menagerie." She serves as secretary for the ACT II board of directors.
Kyra Childers as the Prosecutor. Childers works at the Chickasaw Nation Division of Housing and Tribal Development in the housing counseling and loan services department. Her most recent performances on the ACT II stage include: "Murder at the Witch's Cottage," "Dark at the Top of the Stairs" and "Tobacco Road." She serves as president for the ACT II board of directors.
Michelle Childress as Jesse Sadoc. Childress works as administrative assistant for Pontotoc Production, Inc. This is her first time on the ACT II stage.
Eric Collier as Simon Peter. Collier is the Assistant Director of Physical Therapy at Valley View Regional Hospital. His stage performances include "Murder at the Witch's Cottage," "Murder on the Rerun," and "Turnabout." He serves as treasurer for the ACT II board of directors.
Vicki Cowger as Mary Magdalen. She is a pre-K assistant at Homer Elementary School. Her ACT II performances include "The Greatest Christmas Pageant Ever" and "The Best School Year Ever." She co-directed "Papa's Angels."
Thomas (TL) Cox as Paul/Saul. He has recently switched careers, returning to the aerospace industry. He is a student at the University of Texas at Arlington where he is completing a master of public administration. This is his first time on the ACT II stage.
Joy Crabtree as the Court Guard. She is employed by Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc. She performed in the ACT II productions of "Brighton Beach Memoirs," "Papa's Angels" and "Cotton Patch Gospel."
John Davidson as Sextus Lucius. He has worked in the psychiatric field for 12 years. His ACT II productions include "Papa's Angels," and "Brighton Beach Memoirs."

Bob Feighner as Pilate. Feighner teaches mathematics at East Central University. His ACT II performances include "Man of La Mancha," "Funny Girl" and "Hello, Dolly!"

Mel Haworth as Joseph of Arimathea. A retired electronics engineer, he lives with his wife Jean in Ada and enjoys flying the small airplane he built in his workshop. He appeared in "You Can't Take It With You," "Hello, Dolly!" and "Crocket Junction" for ACT II.

Carl Hayes as Mr. Woods. He currently serves as Associate Pastor at Victory Life Fellowship and as the Chaplain at Victory Home Health and Hospice. This is his first time on the ACT II stage.

Sterling Jacobs as the Gardener. Jacobs is graduating from East Central University with a bachelor degree in Art. He has participated in over 15 plays at ACT II, including "Blythe Spirit," "Arsenic & Old Lace," and "Hello, Dolly!"

Penny Johnson as Beulah. This is her first time on the ACT II stage.

Chuck Perry as the Judge. Now retired, he was the director of ECU's Linscheid Library. His ACT II performances include "Murder at the Witch's Cottage," "The Odd Couple" and "You Can't Take It With You." He currently serves on the ACT II Board of Directors.

Joan Perry as Susanna. She serves on the board for the Pontotoc Animal Welfare Society and as a precinct election worker. This is her second time on the ACT II stage, her first being "Murder at the Witch's Cottage."

Nancy Postier as Violet. She works as a registered nurse at Valley View Hospital. She performed in "Quilters," "Hello, Dolly!" and "Murder at the Witch's Cottage" for ACT II.

Robert Shurtleff as Counsel for the Defense. Shurtleff is the local State Farm agent. He appeared in the ACT II productions of "Murder at the Witch's Cottage" and "Murder on the Rerun." He currently serves on the ACT II Board of Directors.

Jerry Todd as the Court Clerk. He is a long-time employee of the Ada Evening News. He appeared in several ACT II productions, including "Hello, Dolly!" "Funny Girl" and "The Greatest Christmas Pageant Ever."

Melissa Wall as Esther. She is employed by Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers of Southern Oklahoma. She is currently working on her Masters of Science in Psychological Studies. This is her first time on the ACT II stage.

Peggy Wallace as the Court Stenographer. After her teaching career, she now enjoys crafts and hobbies and spending time with her son and daughter. This is her first time on the ACT II stage.

Jennifer Warmuth as Nancy Pinchas. She is employed by Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc. This is her first time on the ACT II stage.

"The Vigil" will be performed Wednesday-Saturday, March 28-31, at 8 p.m. and Sunday, April 1, at 2 p.m. in the Norris Performing Arts Center, 1450 Cradduck Road. Tickets are $6 for adults and $4 for children and senior citizens. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at Linda's Flowers Balloons & Gifts, 104 East Main, phone 580-436-2479.

ACT II's next production is slated to be "Daddy's Dyin' Who's Got the Will?" a dramedy with a Texas flair. Auditions will be Monday-Tuesday, April 16-17, at 7 p.m. in the Norris Center. The cast calls for 3 men and 5 women. The play is tentatively scheduled for May 16-20.

Visit ACT II on the web at: myweb.cableone.net/act2ada