CMU's Little Theatre to Present Sam Shephard Play 'True West'

FAYETTE, MO (11/29/2010)(readMedia)-- The Central Methodist University Little Theatre will present playwright Sam Shepard's drama "True West," which will open on Dec. 2 and run through Dec. 5.

In the play, two brothers meet at their mother's house in this American classic that explores alternatives that might spring from the demented terrain of the California landscape. Sons of a desert- dwelling alcoholic and a suburban wanderer clash over a film script. Austin, the achiever, is working on a script he has sold to producer Sal Kimmer when Lee, a demented petty thief, drops in. He pitches his own idea for a movie to Kimmer, who then wants Austin to junk his bleak, modern love story and write Lee's trashy Western tale.

The play is written for mature audiences.

Curtain time is 7:30 p.m. Dec. 2, 3 and 5, with a Sunday matinee, Dec. 5, beginning at 2 p.m. Tickets are $6 for adults, $1 for students. Reservations can be made by calling the Little Theatre Box office at (660) 248-6281. Reserved tickets are held at the box office, and can be picked up and paid for the night of the performance. The Little Theatre accepts cash and checks.

Performing key roles are CMU students Joshua Kirby, as Lee. A senior majoring in theatre, Kirby is the son of Debbie Guese and Martin Kirby of Armstrong, Mo.; Max Priddy, as Austin. A junior majoring in communications, Priddy is the son of Jerry and Elaine Priddy of Harrisburg, Mo.; Danny Mullan, as Saul. A freshman majoring political science, Mullan is the son of Carroll Tollon and John Mullan of London, England.

A special appearance is being made by Fayette resident and wife of Chuck Thompson, Lou Thompson, as Mom. A retired educator, Lou Thompson has appeared in numerous community theatre productions in Central Missouri. She is a native of Canton, Mo., and a graduate of Miami University in Ohio.

The play is being produced in association with Exchange Bank of Missouri. CMU Assistant Professor of Theatre and Director of the Little Theatre Mark Kelty is directing the play; Amy Prater is assistant director; and Chuck Thompson is technical director.

Founded in 1854, Central Methodist is the only United Methodist Church-related university in Missouri, and welcomes qualified men and women of all faiths and from diverse backgrounds. Its wooded, historic campus hosts a faculty of teachers, mentors, and scholars dedicated to providing extraordinary attention to the individual learner. With offerings ranging from high-school dual credit to graduate studies and a total enrollment of approximately 5,000, its liberal arts and pre-professional programs are centered on a character core that has twice brought Central Methodist national recognition for its leadership in character education. In recent years the University has attracted significant challenge grants regionally from the Mabee Foundation and nationally from the Kresge Foundation to help build a $15 million Student and Community Center on the academic quadrangle and to fund $5 million in major upgrades to its athletic facilities.

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