The Ohio State Department of Theatre will present the world-renowned and Pulitzer Prize winning play, “Wit,” in the Roy Bowen Theatre of the Drake Union.
Margaret Edson wrote “Wit” in 1991, when she was only 30 years old. Originally from Washington D.C., Edson worked in a medical institution serving as a physical therapy aid and unit clerk in the cancer and AIDS inpatient unit of a major research hospital. She now resides in Atlanta where she works as a kindergarten teacher.
“Wit” is the only play written by Edson and had its world premier showing at the South Coast Repertory in 1995 where it won the Los Angeles Drama Critics award.
There have been many subsequent successful off-Broadway runs including the Union Square Theatre in New York. In addition to the 1999 Pulitzer Prize for Best Drama and the Los Angeles Drama Critics award, “Wit” also earned a number of other play-writing awards including Drama Desk, Drama League, Dramatists Guild, Lucille Lortel, Outer Critics Circle, and the New York Drama Critics’ Circle 1998-99 Best New Play award.
“Wit” is the story of Vivian Bearing, a professor of 17th century poetry and expert on the Holy Sonnets of John Doone. Doone’s poetry functions through the issues of life and death with the concept of wittiness interwoven between. She lives her life as a scholar – prickles and all – never having to interact with students because her intelligence and wit alienate them with intimidation.
Yet when she is faced with the greatest personal crisis, she is forced to turn those intimidating characteristics into saving her from fear and isolation. After being diagnosed with terminal ovarian cancer, she must learn to rely on people and experimental medicine.
“She begins to understand the meaning of life through a human perspective instead of a scholar. At first she is afraid, but then she relies on her wit and intelligence to get her through,” said Sue Ott Rowlands, an associate professor and head of the department of acting and directing.
Rowlands will portray Vivian Bearing. She has more than 20 years of professional theater experience and is more than qualified for the job.
“The play itself sounds like it would be very depressing, but in fact it is very uplifting. There is a lot of humor integrated in with this extraordinary woman’s journey,” said Rowlands. “It is a wonderful opportunity for a university to be granted permission to have the privilege to produce this incredibly engaging play.”
Rowlands has proven her expertise through the many successful theater credits to her name. She is the artistic director for the Cleveland Women’s Theatre Project, an organization she co-founded in 1995. In 2000, she directed “Orpheus Descending,” “King Lear” and “Behind the Mask” at OSU. Professionally, she directed “St. Nicholas” and “Nixon’s Nixon” at CATCO in Columbus.
Many undergraduate and graduate thespians are participating in the production. Lesley Ferris, the department chair, will direct this extraordinary play.
“Both Lesley and I had the idea to bring the play to OSU. After determining I would do an acting project, Lesley reminded me of how much I loved this play when I saw it,” said Rowlands.
“Wit” will be presented today through Saturday, May 8-12, and May 15-19 at 8 p.m. Matinee shows start at 2 p.m. on Saturday and May 12. Tickets are $6.50 for students, $9 for OSU faculty/staff and $12 for general public.
