Hamilton-Gibson Productions is presenting three performances of “The Actual Dance” in the Warehouse Theatre at 3 Central Avenue in Wellsboro.
This inspirational, true story about a husband and wife’s graceful journey through the uncharted waters of illness will be given at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 17 and 18 and at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 19. There will be an opening night reception on Friday for the audience, cast, crew.
Written and performed by Samuel A. Simon, this award-winning one-man play has captured the hearts of audiences across America.
In 2000, Sam’s wife Susan, then 54, was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. That’s when they began a new journey together, she as a patient and he as her caregiver.
In it, Sam shares his feelings about what’s happening as Susan goes through treatment. He juxtaposes flashbacks of their courtship with his wife’s medical scares and surgeries. Making it more frightening is that both of their mothers died of breast cancer. Susan’s mother in 1967 and Sam’s in 1973.
Angry and scared but determined to stand by his life partner of 33 years, Sam worries that this may be their last dance together and that he will lose the love of his life.
Today, they are the parents of two grown children, a son and a daughter and have four grandchildren. In August 2016, Susan and Sam celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.
Following each performance, Thomas Putnam, Hamilton-Gibson artistic director, will facilitate a discussion about the show. Audience members are invited to ask Susan and Sam questions and also to reflect on their own experiences.�
Tickets for the Feb. 17 show are $18 for adults and $7 for children and full-time students; for Feb. 18, $12 for adults and free for children and full-time students; and Feb. 19, Pay-What-You-Can. For tickets or more information, call 570-724-2079 or [email protected]. Reservations are not required, but as always, recommended.