JONESBOROUGH REPERTORY THEATRE

Doctors and nurses surround Vivian Bearing, played by Debbie Shoun, in a rehearsal of Wit at the Jonesborough Repertory Theatre.
Play also serves as departing director Kathleen Buttolph’s swan song at the local theatre

The 1999 Pulitzer Prize winner, Wit, written by Margaret Edson, will be performed at the Jonesborough Repertory Theatre September 17-27.

The drama follows English professor Vivian Bearing as she is diagnosed with terminal ovarian cancer. Bearing undergoes experimental treatment at a major teaching hospital.

Because of her life long dedication to learning and knowledge, she sees her diagnosis as another educational opportunity. During her treatment Bearing begins to assess her life, transforming herself and the audience in the process.

September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, and the cast and crew hope the production of Wit will bring awareness to the disease. Proceeds from the Saturday, September 19 production will go to the American Cancer Society.

There will also be a “Wall of Hope” for audience members to sign in honor and memory of loved ones who have battled cancer. Kingsport photographer David Clapp will be displaying two photos from his “It’s Not About the Hair” series, photos featuring cancer warriors.

Despite the intense nature of the play, the show’s overall message is that of hope.

“The reality is that cancer is a terrible disease and the diagnosis is always dire, and if it ever happens to you or a member of your family you live with it constantly,” says Debbie Shoun who portrays Vivian Bearing. “The message of the play is all about hope, even though she doesn’t survive the cancer, she accepts God and accepts her mortality, and at the same time understands immortality. It is my hope that the audience will approach the show, not as a play about death, but life everlasting.”

Wit is not new material to some of the cast. Director Kathleen Buttolph, Debbie Shoun, and Mike Lilly, who portrays Dr. Kelekian, have wanted to produce Wit for years.

“I first saw Wit several years ago. I loved it and always wanted to be part of it. I was profoundly moved when I saw it,” says Lilly. “There are so many layers to the show. It has little to do with someone dying of ovarian cancer. It is about stripping away at everything you thought was important in your life, so you are free enough to leave.”

Nearly the entire play is set in the hospital, and the majority of the cast portrays doctors and nurses.

“We are very grateful to Mediserve Medical Equipment, our show sponsor, for providing several medical props and set pieces and to all the nurses, doctors, and other health professionals who have helped coach our cast,” says Kathleen Buttolph.

“It has been very helpful to have medical professionals come in and show us how to perform the procedures,” says Hunter Roberts who portrays medical fellow Dr. Jason Posner. “It was great training and it brings a level of authenticity o the play.”

Wit is also the last show for JRT Artistic Director Kathleen Buttolph who has worked at the theatre for six years. Kathleen and her husband Paul will be moving to Princeton, New Jersey for Paul to attend graduate school.

“To me this was a good way to end my own journey at JRT,” said Buttolph. “Not because it is a sad time, but a time of closure and new beginnings. Vivian reflects on what she would have done differently in her life and interactions with people. In a sense I have been on that same journey, there have been times of struggle, triumph, and wishing it wasn’t over.”

Debbie Shoun will be playing the part of Vivian Bearing; Mike Lilly as Harvey Kelekian MD;  Hunter Roberts as Dr. Jason Posner; Anne Carpenter as Susie Monahan; Rosemarie Shields as Professor E.M. Ashford; Bruce Shields as Mr. Bearing; The rest of the cast includes Josh O’Bryan, Jaime Herman, Katy Rosolowski and Nancy Oakley create the cast of Wit.

Performances for Wit are September 17-27. Thursday, Friday, Saturday shows will be at 8pm and a Sunday matinee at 2pm. The Saturday, September 26 performance will be interpreted for the Deaf. General admission is $12, students and seniors (65+) are $10. For information on tickets or to make a reservation, please call the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center at 423-753-1010.

Many downtown Jonesborough restaurants and overnight establishments will offer a discount with the presentation of your JRT ticket including the Historic Eureka Inn, Bistro 105, The Cranberry Thistle, and The Dining Room. Main Street Café & Catering will be hosting the opening night gala following the show on September 17. Jonesborough Repertory Theatre is located at 125½ West Main Street, Jonesborough.