Written by Margaret Edson
Performance Dates:
October 20 - November 11, 2023
Directed by Jacob Haythorn
Run time: 1h 40m
(no intermission)
Vivian Bearing, Ph.D., a renowned professor of English who has spent years studying and teaching the brilliant and difficult metaphysical sonnets of John Donne, has been diagnosed with terminal ovarian cancer. Her approach to the study of Donne: aggressively probing, intensely rational. But during the course of her illness—and her stint as a prize patient in an experimental chemotherapy program at a major teaching hospital—Vivian comes to reassess her life and her work with a profundity and humor that are transformative both for her and the audience. In her extraordinary first play, Margaret Edson has created a work that is as intellectually challenging as it is emotionally immediate. A remarkable and humane play that you will remember till your dying day.
To download the production postcard for Wit to share with your friends, visit the Downloads page of our website and look under the Production Postcard heading. A PDF of the production playbill is also available in the same location.
About the Director
Jacob is thrilled to return to the theatre after a Covid induced hiatus. He has previously directed at Davidson College and in Atlanta, GA, debuting The Investigation with Kenny Leon's True Colors Theatre and Actor's Express, and leading numerous productions with local amateur theatres. Jacob has acted in dozens of roles in college and professionally, but highlights include: Ernst Ludwig in Davidson College's 2018 production of Cabaret; Earl of Gloucester in Henry IV parts 1 and 2 and Henry V with Shakespeare on Draught; Henry Condell in Davidson College's production of The Book of Will. During the pandemic, Jacob also had the opportunity to debut several new works in staged readings with friends across the country and with the Adjusted Realists in New York. Jacob is so proud of this cast and grateful for the opportunity to work with The Colonial Players during the 75th anniversary season. Here's to many more!
Director's Notes
I aFor the 75th anniversary season, stories like Wit are absolutely essential to lift up and share with the community. Local theatre starts conversations, inspires reflection, and challenges expectations -- and Wit is the perfect script to do all these things at a time when polarization and disconnection can feel overwhelming. We are all far too familiar with hospitals. They usher us into life, they help us stay alive, and when needed, they do their best to ease our path out of it. Whether you were a patient, a loved one helping another, or both, we all retain the images, experiences, and feelings that Wit brings to life. Wit raises questions of self-discovery, growth, humanity, misogyny, humility, loss, and love. It doesn't tell us what to think ... but it certainly makes us think. A few moments in this play can be painful to watch. But this cast treats each with genuine humor, thoughtfulness, and empathy which makes this performance feel so personal and real. Wit is made more profound by those moments and their dedication. On a personal note, I am deeply grateful to Darice Clewell for her guidance and support throughout this journey. I am also grateful to my partner Tracy who has been supportive beyond belief and held down the fort for the last few months. Thank you to The Colonial Players for selecting this incredible play and taking a chance on me after my three-year theatre hiatus.
— JACOB HAYTHORN
The Cast
Tom Bethards (Ensemble) - Tom is thrilled to return to the stage after four years, and to appear in his first contemporary drama! Previous performances at The Colonial Players include: 1776 (Mr. Morris), Annie (Mr. Bundles/Hull), A Christmas Carol (the party guest with the really big laugh), and The Merry Wives of Windsor (Servant John or Robert). He has also appeared in two productions of A Christmas Carol at the Little Theatre of Alexandria, most recently as the Ghost of Christmas Present and Mr. Fezziwig, as well as Oliver! at Silhouette Stages (Mr. Sowerberry), Once Upon a Mattress at the Bowie Playhouse (First Knight), and Annie with Howard County Summer Theater. He is also an avid singer, having recently joined the Annapolis Chorale, and enjoys learning the piano. He would like to thank Jacob for having cast him in this unique and moving play, and his fellow cast and crew and his family for all of their support.
Joseph Brugh (Dr Harvey Kelekian / Mr. Bearing) - Joseph resumed his acting career in 2020 returning to onscreen productions in movie shorts, commercials and as background talent in television productions for HBO, Paramount+ and Apple TV. 5AM call times, 12 and 14 hour days as a featured background actor with appearances in Succession and Billions (New York), Rustin and White House Plumbers (Washington DC), Lioness and We Own This City (Baltimore), Dopesick and Swagger (Richmond VA). His commercial work has allowed him to be the lead or featured talent in promotional videos for social media and industrial training videos in Washington D.C. (Washington Metro Transit and George Washington Hospital) and Philadelphia (Jefferson Healthcare). Wit is Joseph’s first onstage theater project since college when he toured professionally with a children’s theater troupe.
Jane Carrigan (Ensemble) - Jane's commitment to The Colonial Players began with the 75th Season Opening of Tartuffe by Moliere. She is thrilled to be continuing as a member of the ensemble in Wit. Jane studied theater as an undergraduate at the University of Maryland. Life intervened and she spent a productive career in the Federal Government. With retirement, Jane has returned to her previous love, the theater! The Colonial Players has been a great place to renew this commitment and she hopes to take on acting and other roles in seasons to come.
Madison Davis (Ensemble) - Madison is proud to appear in her debut performance with The Colonial Players. She hails from Annapolis and performs for her children five days a week in a one-woman show called "Get Out the Door, We're Going to be Late!" Madison performs regularly with and teaches for Reflex Improv. She loves her improv teammates and their ability to make her laugh until she cries. She would like to thank the cast and crew of Wit for allowing her to be a part of their magic. She cherishes her friends and her family and misses them when she is in rehearsal but appreciates their unwavering support. Madison would like to say a special thank you to her husband, Chris, whom she loves. He believes she can do anything and then picks up all the slack so she can go out and try. And to her children, Charlie and Alexandra, you are the best parts of all her days and nights.
Christina Hudson (Ensemble) - Christina was last seen in the lights at CP in season 74’s The Book of Will, after running the lights for several previous CP productions. When not in the dark of the tech booth or the lights of the stage, Christina enjoys spending time with her children and volunteering at the SPCA of Anne Arundel County.."
Nicholas Martinez (Nick) - Martinez is a 26-year-old actor from Chino Hills, California. This is his third production that he has been a part of at The Colonial Players, with previous roles in The White Rose and The Book of Will. Nick is very thankful for the experience to get to know the wonderful cast and crew of Wit, and he would like to extend his gratitude to the entire community of actors, crew, and executive staff at The Colonial Players for their camaraderie and insight. Nick is excited to be a part of the play and he hopes you enjoy the show!
Kelli Midgley (E. M. Ashford, D. Phil.) - Kelli is pleased to return to the stage after an extended break. This is her first appearance with The Colonial Players. She has previously appeared with Chesapeake Shakespeare Company, The Rude Mechanicals, Silver Spring Stage, and Nobleheart Rep. She studied Theatre at UMCP.
Joi Pride (Susie Monahan, R.N., B.S.N.) - Joi Pride (she/her/ella) is a Spanish-bilingual actor based in Maryland. This is her first time working with The Colonial Players. She was most recently seen in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (Aide Williams) at Vagabond Players, and The Women of August (Louise) with The AngelWing Project. College: Three Guys and a Brenda (Joe/director), 26 Pebbles (Carole/Starr/Julie), As You Like It (Touchstone). Virtual: Julius Caesar (Calpurnia/ Octavius) with Shakesqueer Theatre Company, Captain Joe (Joe Scott) with Brave New Classics, and Bailes de Salón (Raquel) with Teatro de la Luna. Joi is an alum of the Circle in the Square Theatre School (Summer Intensive) and Queens University of Charlotte (B.A. in Spanish, minors in Theatre/International Studies).
Dylan Roche (Jason Posner, M.D.) - Dylan is glad to be back onstage at The Colonial Players where he has previously appeared in Crimes of the Heart (Doc) and Sex with Strangers (Ethan). Offstage, he's a freelance writer with local bylines in Annapolis Home, UpstART, What's Up, and Chesapeake Family Life, as well as national publications and websites. Check out his debut novel 'The Purple Bird' and his forthcoming release 'The Tide and the Stars.'
Maura Suilebhan (Vivian Bearing, Ph.D) - Maura is humbled and grateful to join the cast and team at The Colonial Players for this production. While this is Maura’s first time collaborating with theater makers here, she has been an active member at Silver Spring Stage for many years working as an actor, a producer, and as a member of the board from 2018 to 2023. Maura has also performed at various small professional theaters in the DMV including Scena Theatre, The Taffety Punk Theatre Company, and Quotidian Theatre Company, among others. Outside of theater, she enjoys collaborating with her husband and son in the daily act of trying-to- figure-it-all-out-and-still-have-fun-along-the way (it is a constant work in progress) and wishes to thank them both from the bottom of her heart for having chosen to embrace and support her in this mammoth undertaking. She also wishes to thank the entire The Colonial Players family for entrusting her with this role. Maura believes that theater can provide a wonderful opportunity for people to find connection and increase our compassion for the lived experiences of others; to help us transcend ourselves. She ardently hopes you find a little bit of that magic in sharing this performance along with us. You are an essential member of our ensemble.
The Production Staff
Shannon McElwee (Co-Costume Designer) Shannon is an actor and costume designer in the Annapolis area. She studied acting in Edinburgh, Scotland and is now working on an A.A. in Theatre Studies at Anne Arundel Community College. She aspires to one day become a professional Costume Designer. She is also currently Hair and Makeup Designer for 12 Angry Jurors at AACC. At AACC she was Costume Designer for Hairspray (2018), Hair and Makeup Designer for In Love and Warcraft (2016), and Wardrobe Crew for Macbeth (2016). As an actor, her most recent works include Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead (Gertrude), Antigone (Guard/Chorus), and Macbeth (Lady Macduff) all at AACC. She also was in Edinburgh Napier University’s production of The Seagull (Polina). Shannon would like to thank her friends and family for supporting her throughout the almost 16 years she has been involved in theatre. She thanks the cast and crew for being such an inspiring and delightful group of people to work with. A thank you goes out to Abigail Traverson for being an amazing person to collaborate with, and Sean Urbantke for being the best mentor a girl could ask for. Always remember, you’re never fully dressed without glitter!
