'Vinegar Tom' staged by Jenison native

As a junior high student in 1994, Ben Cole was quite inspired by Grand Valley State University's Shakespeare Festival production of "Twelfth Night." This fall he returned to campus as a visiting professor and will direct students in the stage production "Vinegar Tom."

Performances are November 14-15 and 20-22, at 7:30 p.m. and November 16, at 2 p.m., in the Louis Armstrong Theatre, Performing Arts Center, Allendale Campus. Tickets are $12 general admission, $10 seniors/faculty/staff/alumni, and $6 for all students.

Tickets may be purchased through Star Tickets Plus with a service fee, by calling (616) 222-4000 or (800) 585-3737, online at www.starticketsplus.com or at any Star Tickets Plus outlet. Tickets are also available weekdays 12 - 5 p.m., at the Louis Armstrong Theatre Box Office (in-person sales only/no phone orders).

After following his muse and performing on stage throughout his high school and college years, Cole earned a master’s degree in acting from Western Illinois University. The Jenison native has previously taught in Oklahoma, Florida and Ireland, and has taught, acted and directed with the Orlando Shakespeare Theatre.

“Vinegar Tom” is a gripping tale of religious intolerance and witchcraft set in 17th-century Europe. One of Britain’s most provocative contemporary writers, Caryl Churchill, examines western society’s prejudices against women, with an ending guaranteed to inspire and delight.

Though based in the 1640s-50s, it deals with issues that are still current today. The point is punctuated by the contemporary characters during musical interludes used throughout the production, which includes electronic music, hard rock and a lullaby. The sparse set provides close interaction among characters and is creatively transformed from a cottage home, to a town square, to a jail cell and more.

Major characters include three types of stereotypical witches: the old hag, Joan; the promiscuous one, Alice; and the healer, Ellen. Another major female character is Susan, a freethinker. Through courtroom and slice of life scenes, the play explores how each woman encounters oppression in a different way.

“I hope to bring my energy and excitement to this production,” said Cole. “The audience will have some fun with some surprise elements in the production, but will also, hopefully, come away with plenty to think about. I hope they will be inspired to take action against oppression when they encounter it in their own lives.”

Following each performance will be a talk back session to discuss issues of oppression. Partnering with Grand Valley’s Women’s Center, the discussions hope to be enlightening and educational.

Cast list:
Alice – Anne Dilworth  
Susan – Anna Walters
Jack – Scott Watson
Joan – Nancy Moes          
Margery – Kristin Pearson    
Bell Ringer – Evan Griffiths
Ellen – Alison Jordon    
Goody – Maureen O’Brian    
Packer – Jeff Merrill
Betty – Erin Courtney

For more information, contact Ben Cole in the School of Communications, at (616) 331-8076.