The doors of the Allen Bales theatre open for the first time in 2017 with The Eccentricities of a Nightingale, Tennessee William’s 1951 revision of his drama Summer and Smoke. The story follows Alma Winemiller (Chelsea Reynolds) as she struggles for one last time to escape the fate of a spinster. Her affections for the affluent doctor John Buchanan (Ross Birdsong) lead the cast into a complex web of relationships and social standings. Mrs. Buchanan (Deborah Parker) has her own agenda and plans for her son’s future bride. Coupled with an eccentric mother (Kaki Clements) and unyielding father (Billy Green), Alma struggles against the odds to find a connection and possibly love. Join us as Alma attempts to sway John’s heart despite their family’s disapproval and conflicting class systems.
Following the performance will be the return of our Friday night Talkback Series to the Allen Bales, featuring Dr. Ralph Voss, nationally renowned Tennessee William’s scholar, on Feb. 24 speaking on the history of playwright Tennessee Williams and the origins of Eccentricities of a Nightingale. As a professor Emeritus of English at UA, he has written and edited many texts including Truman Capote and the Legacy of “In Cold Blood and Magical Muse: Millennial Essays on Tennessee Williams. His insights on the playwright and William’s habit of reworking his plays are sure to make for a wonderful discussion.
Be sure to check out theatre.ua.edu for more information about our season and upcoming talkbacks. Tickets are now available at ua.tix.com and through thebox office, open Monday thru Friday 12:00 – 5:00, in Rowand-Johnson Hall.