Sarah McKee Performs in 'Suddenly Last Summer'

2011 Oct 20

California Lutheran University will complete its fall Tennessee Williams series with "Suddenly Last Summer" Nov. 10 through 20 on the Thousand Oaks campus.

Performances of the Fall Mainstage production are slated for 8 p.m. Nov. 10, 11, 12, 17 and 19 in the Black Box Studio Theatre. A special "midnight" performance will be presented at 11 p.m. Nov. 18 and a matinee will be held at 2 p.m. Nov. 20.

Sarah McKee, a freshman math major from Sunnyvale, performs as Sister Felicity.

"Suddenly Last Summer" is a one-act play that opened off-Broadway in 1958 as part of a double bill with another of Williams' plays. He wrote it after beginning a period of psychoanalytic treatment and it seems to serve as a type of exorcism of Williams' inner demons. In one of his starkest and most poetic works, Williams explores the nature of insanity, desire, voyeurism and the inherent danger that lies in humanity's search for truth. Given the disturbing nature of the subject matter, this play is intended for mature audiences.

In contrast with "Summer and Smoke," the first of the two Williams' shows produced at CLU this fall, "Suddenly Last Summer" will break away from the linear narrative in favor of presenting a psychological examination of the writer. Directed by Nate Sinnott, an assistant professor in CLU's Theatre Department, the production will be dominated by dream imagery, highlighting the powerful themes and language of the play. To this end, "Suddenly Last Summer" will incorporate more non-traditional styles of theatrical presentation such as interpretive movement and live video. Faculty and students from CLU's Multimedia Department are assisting with the production.

Zip and Stephanie Wilson of Westlake Village are sponsoring the production.

The Black Box Studio Theatre is located in the Theatre Arts Building, which is on the north side of Memorial Parkway near Pioneer Avenue. Admission is $10. For more information, call the Theatre Arts Department at 805-493-3415.