October 26, 27 & 28, 2012
in the
Fr. Frank Krische Student and Alumni Center
CAST
Tori Everett* - Wong
Sylvia Padgett* - #1 God
Marya Feldt* - #2 God
Ann Baldridge* - #3 God
Katherine Moore* - Shen Te/Shui Ta
Callie Crawford* - Mrs. Shin
John Kyle* - Husband
Kassy Short* - Wife
Jackson Schrickel* - Nephew
John Meinhardt* - Brother
Theresa Bagley - Sister-in-law
Mitch Quaney - Grandfather
Megan Farrington* - Niece
Michael Duncan - Unemployed Man
Dalton Frantz - Carpenter
Darria Dennison* - Mrs. Mi Tzu
Jake Bernard - Policeman
John Meinhardt* - Old Man
Gabby Marmon* - Old Woman
Corbin Eakes* - Yang Sun
Corey Cochran* - Old Whore
Anthony Maldonado - Mr. Shu Fu
Bailey Ramos - Mrs. Yang
Olivia Hartman - Townsperson
Katy Lobmeyer - Townsperson
Kristin McNeive - Townsperson
Matthew Moore - Boy
Grace Everett - Girl
Steven Moore - Boy  
* denotes member of Thespian Troupe 7275
PRODUCTION CREW
Mr. Mark Radziejeski, Director
Katie Schieferecke*, Stage Manager
Thomas Bagley, Lighting Control
Michael Soza, Spot Op
Lillian Hyde, Spot Op
Brendan Feldt, Sound Control
ABOUT THE PLAY
Brecht’s “The Good Woman of Setzuan” is a parable in which three gods come to earth in search of a good person. They are put up for the night by the prostitute Shen Te, and they reward her with a sum of money that enables her to purchase a small tobacco shop. Shen Te is immediately set upon by a collection of various victims and victimizers, all claiming a piece of her reward.
She discovers that it is impossible to be both good and prosperous and creates an alter ego to help her keep her shop. The helper is her male cousin, Shui Ta, who ruthlessly manipulates the system in order to maintain Shen Te’s ownership of the shop. Eventually, Shen Te realizes that she cannot survive without Shui Ta, and he takes over her life.
The play ends in a courtroom, where Shui Ta is accused of the disappearance of Shen Te, who finally reveals herself before the judges, who are the three gods. The gods bless Shen Te and encourage her to continue to be good. The play ends with their benediction as they return to heaven, leaving Shen Te to solve her dilemma on her own.