By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current
In the not-too-distant future, with artificial intelligence deeply embedded in our daily lives, 85-year-old Marjorie struggles with her disparate, fading memories. That is, until the appearance of Walter, a mysterious and charming young visitor programmed to help Marjorie recall her past.
Harrison’s 2015 Pulitzer Prize Finalist play burrows into thoughtful questions of the digital age: what would we remember, and what would we forget, if given the chance to rewrite our own stories? Will we be any less human, once computers know us better than we know ourselves? This wondrous, touching, and clever play explores the mysteries of human identity, collective family memory, and the limits – if any – of what technology can replace.
The show is suggested for ages 14 and above, with themes involving dementia, grief, and self-harm.
Tess, played by Lorrie Lord of Geneseo, and Jon, played by Kevin Babbitt, Davenport, look through mementos saved by her mother Marjorie. (Contributed Photo)
The cast features Lorrie Lord, Geneseo; Jalayne Riewerts, Morrison; Eric Friedman, East Moline, and Kevin Babbit, Davenport.
The staff includes stage manager Cali VanZandt, Atkinson; light/sound designer/operator Jennifer Kingry; set builder Mike Skiles; stage crew Janet VanDerSchaaf, Julie Bauman, Perry Farley and Larry Lord, all of Geneseo; stage crew Mimi Sweetser, Lyndon; and set builder, Jim Skiles, Colona.
On Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, the doors open at 6:30 p.m. with the show beginning at 7:30 p.m. Sunday shows are 3 p.m. matinees with the doors opening at 2 p.m.
Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling the Richmond Hill box office at 309-944-2244 or by visiting the website rhplayers.com.
Late seating is not permitted; no one will be admitted to the theater after the show has started.
Admission to all performances is $12.
An audio description performance will be Friday, Aug. 14. Richmond Hill also offers Assistive Listening devices (ALDS), which can be requested at the time reservations are made.
RICHMOND HILL PLAYERS is a non-profit community theater group presenting plays in the converted top floor of an old dairy barn in Geneseo since 1968. Approximately 100 active members are involved on and off-stage each year, with actors, directors, backstage personnel, support staffs, and audience drawn from a 75-100 -mile radius that includes cities in both Illinois and Iowa.