The Marian Rice Players presents The Curious Savage and The Savage Dilemma by John Patrick

The Marian-Rice Players, the drama ensemble of Marian and Brother Rice High Schools, proudly presents The Curious Savage and The Savage Dilemma by John Patrick. Returning after two years, Deborah Adams is elated to be directing once again for the Marian-Rice Players.

The Curious Savage and The Savage Dilemma tells the funny and timeless story of kind-hearted Ethel Savage (played by Catherine Audette) who has inherited ten million dollars from her late husband. While she wishes to use the money to help others, her greedy stepchildren, Titus (Joe Cueter), Lily Belle (Maria Blanco), and Samuel (Troy Cooke), have other plans. Declaring her mentally incompetent, they send her to The Cloisters, a residential institution run by Miss Willie (Theresa Beckley) and Dr. Emmett (Marissa DiMambro).

During her stay at the Cloisters, Mrs. Savage meets the big-hearted yet unconventional characters who live there--residents Fairy May (Rachel Bartkowiak), Hannibal (Jonathan Bach), Florence (Shannon Parker), Jeff (Alex Dennis), and Mrs. Paddy (Olivia Freshwater).

Set on teaching her self-seeking stepchildren a lesson, Mrs. Savage leads them on a wild goose-chase to find the inheritance money which she has hidden. As comic luck would have it, just as the money is discovered, two young hippies (played by Chris Semaan and Olivia Lehnertz ) arrive to rob the place, chaos breaks out, and the money is stolen. A police officer (played by Miles Hampton) becomes involved and the plot continues to twist and turn as Mrs. Savage concocts a plan with the bungling hippies to help bring about what she hopes will be a happy ending.

This amusing and heartwarming story is a classic that stands the test of time. The Curious Savage and The Savage Dilemma serves to reassure us that the neglected virtue of kindness has not been entirely lost in a world that oftentimes seems motivated by dishonesty and greed. As we discover hidden beauty in unlikely faces and places, we recognize that family can go beyond what we expect, and include that special group of people we feel connected to in powerful and compelling ways.

The production boasts a cast and crew of nearly 80 students from Marian High School and Brother Rice High School. Student Leaders include Director Alexander Borrello, Assistant Director Carolyn Bradley, Producers Samantha Danko and Elise Hess, Costumer Juliet Paterson, Stage and Art Crew Leaders Joey Crimmins, Isabella Kilanowski, Kristen Pogats, and Mary Rockwell. Sound Crew Leaders are Maria Signorelli and Maura Wilson, and Lighting Leaders are Krysta Mierzejewski and Abbey Sarnacki.

Performances run November 15 – 17, 2012 at 7 PM and November 18, 2012 at 2 PM. Tickets are $12 for adults; $10 for children 12 and under and seniors 65 and older, and can be purchased online at www.marian-hs.org or by calling 248-644-1750 ext. 1315. Tickets can be purchased at the door based on availability. All seats are reserved.

The Curious Savage and The Savage Dilemma will be performed in the Marian High School Auditorium located at 7225 Lahser Road. Marian High School is located one block north of 14 Mile on the east side of Lahser Road in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.