By Rick Winterson

     Following the very well-received production of “Proof” in February, George and Rosemary McDonough’s Actors Playhouse returns to the Ironworkers Hall with “And Miss Reardon Drinks a Little”, by Paul Zindel.  Zindel is a writer and a playwright with a darkly humorous life view.  He won a Pulitzer Prize in 1971 for his off-Broadway play, “The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds”.

     Zindel trained as a chemist.  For many years, he taught high school science in his hometown of Staten Island.  “And Miss Reardon Drinks a Little” is a dark comedy – some would say a tragi-comedy – about teachers caught in the educational bureaucracy.  It is a relatively short play, and in certain respects, it’s the best constructed of all Zindel’s theater works.

     You’ll be pleased to hear that the actresses who played the two sisters in “Proof” are back.  Hillary MacArthur (as Catherine Reardon) and Heidi Rhodes (as Anna Reardon) are playing two sisters again in “And Miss Reardon Drinks a Little”.  Hillary graduated in Theater Performance from Roanoke, where she played a number of key roles.  Heidi got into acting by way of her dance training and her Master’s project in stage design at Rhode Island School of Design.

     The talented cast also includes Katie Graycar from Keane State.  In addition to stage appearances that received excellent notices, she works with children and on the radio.  John Cleary has performed in indie and live stage.  He’ll be seen in The Rock’s film “The Game Plan”.  Courtney Corbett graduated from University of Savannah. She’s a playwright and an accomplished live actress.  From Smith College, Sarbani Harza brings an array of talents to “Miss Reardon” – numerous stage roles , film credits, classical dancing, and stand-up comedy.  Patrick Brown from Norwood High has played in both dramas and musicals – “Evita”, “Romeo and Juliet”, “Scrooge”, and “Much Ado About Nothing”.

     The performances at the Ironworkers Hall are on Friday/Saturday, April 27 and 28; and on Friday/Saturday, May 4 and 5 (all at 8 p.m.).  Tickets are a very reasonable $15, which includes complimentary refreshments.  Stay and talk with the performers afterwards.