A New Perspective on the Meaning of Life

Greenbrier Valley Theatre, the state professional theatre of West Virginia, proudly presents the tragic and moving ‘night, Mother by Marsha Norman. This American masterpiece runs April 19 & 20 at 7:30 p.m., April 25-27 at 7:30 p.m. and May 2-4 at 7:30p.m., with a matinee production April 20 at 2:30 p.m. and a Pay-What-You-Can Preview Performance April 18 at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $30 for general adult admission, $27 for seniors (60+) and $20 for children/students. For more information, call the GVT Box Office at (304) 645-3838 or visit www.gvtheatre.org.

kb saine

Director of GVT’s upcoming production of ‘night, Mother. (Photo Courtesy / Greenbrier Valley Theatre)

Starring Greenbrier Valley Theatre Producing Artistic Director Cathey Sawyer, and Associate Artistic Director/Education Director Courtney Susman. A woman, lost in a world of illness and disappointment, reveals her plan to commit suicide to her mother. While Jessie prepares to end her life, her mother, Thelma, struggles to understand the severity of her daughter’s illness. As the evening progresses into night, Thelma tries to convince Jessie that life is worth living.

Directing this heart-stopping drama, full of powerful language and emotion, is returning director kb saine, who directed GVT’s production of Santaland Diaries, many years ago. It’s been a while since she last worked at GVT but she jumped at the opportunity to come back and direct Cathey Sawyer, who will be portraying Thelma.

Cathey Sawyer*#+

GVT’s Producing Artistic Director, who will be portraying Thelma in GVT’s upcoming production of ‘night, Mother. (Photo Courtesy / Greenbrier Valley Theatre)

"What I love about ‘night, Mother is that we all know these two women, yet we don’t really know them. By the time the play ends, we do know them," Sawyer said.

For this production Sawyer will portray Thelma, alongside Courtney Susman as her daughter, Jessie. Together these two women will tell the story of their life, and the audience will see the complexities of their relationship; the depth of their bond as mother and daughter, as well as the great emotional divide that separates them.

Courtney Susman*

GVT’s Associate Artistic Director/Education Director, who will portray Jessie in GVT’s upcoming production of ‘night, Mother. (Photo Courtesy / Greenbrier Valley Theatre)

As the play progresses, and these two women reflect on what their lives have been, the audience will be amazed at the sheer power of these two actors, and unable to look away as the story advances toward its dramatic ending.

This harrowing masterpiece runs April 19 & 20 at 7:30 p.m., April 25-27 at 7:30 p.m. and May 2-4 at 7:30p.m., with a matinee production April 20 at 2:30 p.m. and a Pay-What-You-Can Preview Performance April 18 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $30 for general adult admission, $27 for seniors (60+) and $20 for children/students. For more information, call the GVT Box Office at (304) 645-3838 or visit www.gvtheatre.org. This program is presented with financial assistance from the West Virginia Division of Arts, Culture & History, and the National Endowment for the Arts, with approval from the West Virginia Commission on the Arts.

About Greenbrier Valley Theatre:

Located in beautiful, historic downtown Lewisburg, “America’s Coolest Small Town,” Greenbrier Valley Theatre, The State Professional Theatre of West Virginia, is committed to its mission statement to create live, professional quality theatre in West Virginia and, through theatre, to enlighten, enrich, and enliven the life of our region.

Throughout each year, GVT produces first-class theatrical productions featuring professional actors. Additionally, Greenbrier Valley Theatre offers a successful after-school drama program, a summer camp for children and teens, literary readings, live simulcasts of the Metropolitan Opera, special events and musical performances, art appreciation activities, lectures, discussions and workshops.