An acquaintance from the past thrusts himself into a yearly gathering of friends at a summer resort. He forces them to re-examine their mundane, yet seemingly idyllic existence, the opportunities they've lost, and the lives that have passed them by. What they have made of themselves in earlier years is what they are destined to remain. An autumn garden is one which will fade by winter time. These people are entering the winter of their lives. Time magazine praised its "vividly drawn and brilliantly differentiated characters,' and The New York Times hailed it as one of her very best. Hellman paints a portrait of middle age with a rare sense of compassion, humanity, and understanding."

A Theological Reflection
by The Reverend Robin Lyn Valdez Associate Pastor, First Presbyterian Church

A very long time ago, when God was forming, molding and creating, something miraculous happened. God thoughtfully planned and carefully considered every part and parcel of all that had been created and then called it good. Even now, the Creator moves among us and urges us to live fully, laugh heartily, and love completely. More importantly, this same Creator, God, promises to be present with us through every stage of life.

What happens when life is lived with no sense of worth or purpose? Lillian Hellman writes as a creative force that places characters on stage and says, "Consider these things." As playwright she forms and molds the lives of men and women as their characters twist acid turn through the challenges and crises of middle age. Sooner or later they come to the moment and ask the tough questions of life - "What have I accomplished? Where am I now? And where am I going?"

Hellman' s characters could be any one of us - today or ten years ago. They exist without professional or personal fulfillment and often times find that they are spiritually bankrupt and living a life that has become stagnant. As Christians we live and move with the knowledge that we ace not forsaken, that there is always opportunity for renewed visions and spiritual nourishment for the journey. Without confidence in the gift of Jesus Christ, there is little energy left to take stock of one's life and trust in what the Creator has promised to each one of us - "Plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope." (Jeremiah 29: 11)

The cry for a full and complete life, "Carpe Diem (Seize The Day!)" resonates in and through us as it urges us to look honestly at what we bring to the table of personal relationships, vocation and family. For the characters of AUTUMN GARDEN the cry of that same voice is heard and contemplated. Within moments, the realities of life - as earthy and pragmatic as one can imagine - engulf any sense of hope or redemption, and they are left with the truth of choices made, relationships wasted, and coming face to face with the people they have now become.

The power within the hope that Jesus Christ makes available to us is most significant when we come as those who are in need of change, transformation and love. It is not only our hope, but our prayer, that those we encounter would experience that same power through our own actions of compassion, acceptance and love. Wouldn't we all be strengthened by such powerful words? Carpe Diem! Seize the Day!

CAST BIOS

Heather Brackeen (Hilda/Asst. Stage Manager) makes her debut at FPT in this production of The Autumn Garden. However, she is not a new face to Fort Wayne theater. Her credits include WAIT UNTIL DARK, THE MIRACLE WORKER, and ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO 'S NEST, all at Civic. She also recently participated in the reading of local playwright Phillip Colglazier's new script, BEST INTENTIONS.

Nancy Cook (Mrs. Ellis) has been involved with FPT in some capacity for over 20 years. Currently she serves on the drama committee, in the past she has stage managed, been lighting assistant, house managed, and performed on stage. Ha most recent credits include CONVERSATIONS WITH MY FATHER at FPT, and HARVEY at Arena Dinner Theatre. She would like to thank Thom for believing in her; also thanks go out to the cast and her husband Dick for their patience, encouragement and support. Her performance is dedicated to her newest granddaughter, Casey Martin.

David Cox (Crossman) is a professor of chemistry at IPFW. This is his first appearance at FPT. At IPFW, he recently played the chorus in ANTIGONE, Pozzo in WAITING FOR GODOT. At Civic, he was last seen as Hornbeck in INHERIT THE WIND.

Gloria Ellenwood (Rose Griggs) has been a middle school teacher in Southwest Alien County Schools for many years, focusing in language arts, speech and drama. Although she has directed a number of plays, she always enjoys getting back on stage as an actor. She is also a vocalist, plays golf, reads great literature, and follows I.U. Basketball.

Bruce Hancock (Nick Denery) is a first grade teacher for the Fort Wayne School System. He has appeared on the FPT stage many times, including ON GOLDEN POND, and RUDDIGORE. He is grateful for this opportunity to work with this wonderful cast and a remarkable director. He thanks his wife for her understanding.

Nancy Kartholl (Nina Denery) is a familiar face on the Fort Wayne theater scene. She was last seen on the FPT stage as Madame Pernelle in TARTUFFE; other recent credits include Joan in SEXUAL PERVERSITY IN CHICAGO for The Alternative Theatre; Amalia in SHE LOVES ME at Arena; and Kate in TAMING OF THE SHREW at the Civic.

Georgeanna Nehrig (Carrie Ellis) has been seen by Fort Wayne audiences in productions at the Fort Wayne Civic, Arena Dinner Theater and now, FPT. She sends her love and thanks to Miranda, Schuyler, and especially Brian, for their support and sacrifice.

Brian Alan Schilb (Frederick Ellis) works in the accounting office at the Fort Wayne Hilton Hotel. He has been involved in performance for nearly fifteen years and hopes to pursue a professional career in acting sometime before the turn of the century.

Jane Sellers (Constance Tuckerman) has been active in community theatre since her first role at age 41. Mother of five, wife to John, Jane taught for 22 years and now works at Jorgensens. Jane and John moved to Fort Wayne last April from Springfield, Missouri, via Atlanta, Georgia--a long story! Working on stage is always a double-edged sword: hard work, but very rewarding.

Marla Shaffer (Sophie Tuckerman) has just completed her 7th summer at Interlochen Arts Camp. She made her debut on the FPT stage 10 years ago in THE MIRACLE WORKER. Most recently she played Emily in OUR TOWN and stage managed Diaries of Adam & Eve, and she is happy to be part of another great show here at FPT!

James Walker (Gen. Benjamin Griggs) is a veteran performer at the Fort Wayne Civic and First Presbyterian Theater. He has appeared on stages for a long, long time. His latest roles were in LATER LIFE and OUR TOWN here at FPT. He has won four Anthony Awards from the Civic.

PRODUCTION STAFF BIOS

David Schuler (director) has directed a wide range of musical theater, opera, comedy and! drama in New York, Colorado, Pennsylvania and Norway. In a 15 year acting career, he has had leading roles in AMADEUS, 1776, THE BARTERED BRIDE, VOICE OF THE PRAIRIE, and in regional premieres of BITTER FRIENDS, and THE QUILLING OF PRUE. Mr. Schuler holds a Bachelors Degree in Music Education/Voice Performance from Susquehanna University, an MA in Theater from the University of Binghamton, and has done additional graduate theater training at the University of Colorado and Balliol College, Oxford. Active as a lecturer and theater educator, Mr. Schuler resides in Rochester, New York where he works at Geva Theater, a professional regional theater.

Thom Hofrichter (producer/light designer) is delighted that his good friend David Schuler was able to come in from New York as a guest director. Thom's association with David goes back to the days they were doctoral students at the University of Colorado at Boulder. It is nice to know that as friendships grow older, they age like fine wine. Thank you for coming in, David.

Michael Todd Harris (set designer) completes his second scene design at FPT, following up his THREE TALL WOMEN set last season. Most often seen an stage, he really enjoyed tapping into the other side of his creative spirit, and, getting spattered with paint and saw dust. He would like to thank Ron for all his help and guidance in making his two-dimensional drawing come to life; Beroti, Michael and Sonja for some beautiful set pieces; Thom for his encouragement; and, David for his enthusiasm and patience. Mom, Dad, Matt, and Kilee--I love you.

Ron Badour (technical director) has been working at FPT for the last 2 years. He has designed RIP VAN WINKLE, TARTUFFE, OUR TOWN, DIARIES OF ADAM & EVE, and SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK LIVE! in that time. During the day Ron works for GM, but almost any night you can find him in the theater.

Virginia Badour (costume designer) manages the collection of costumes at FPT, where she has designed RIP VAN WINKLE, OUR TOWN, TARTUFFE, SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK LIVE!, and RUDDIGORE. Along with her husband Ron, she runs Encore Productions.

Michele Bollman (stage manager) was last seen on the FPT stage as Purple in SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK LIVE! She also had the opportunity to strip in the Civic production of GUYS AND DOLLS. This is her first experience as a stage manager. She sends her thanks to David, Thom, the cast and crew, and her extremely supportive "A" friends.

Susie Reed (wig stylist) has been a constant presence at FPT since May of 1997 when she helped out backstage on SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK LIVE! Since then she has worked on six FPT shows, usually as the hair person. She is employed full time by the city of Fort Wayne.
The time is September 1949. The place is the Tuckerman house in a summer resort on the Gulf of Mexico, about a hundred miles from New Orleans.

Act One
Monday night after dinner
Act Two
Scene I. the following Sunday morning
Scene 2. That night
Act Three
Early the next morning
Performance running time: 2 hours and 40 minutes

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