By Emina Gibic/reporter
NW Campus will bring to the stage a witty, humorous twist to a turbulent story of depression, redemption and taming the tiger within in Tigers Be Still by Kim Rosenstock.
The audience follows the story of Sherry, a recent art therapy graduate who can’t find a job and has to move back in with her reclusive and depressed mother. Her sister Grace is also dealing with emotional problems after splitting with her fiancé.
“Sherry is a 24-year-old who finally finds her first job as a high school art teacher,” said Makynzie Davis, who plays Sherry. “However, she is also hired to provide therapy for the principal’s troubled son, Zack.”
These characters are fleshed out and relatable, dealing with real issues, said Cat Whitehead, who plays Grace.
“It dwells in how we cope with things such as grief, love and getting a job,” she said.
Garrett Floyd said it was a challenge for him to play Zack.
“It’s hard to play someone that has so much anger and has a lot on his back,” he said. “I’m usually a nice guy, so it’s hard to relate to him.”
Director Brent Alford said he chose this play because he was attracted to the quirkiness and humor of the characters.
“Kim Rosenstock, the playwright, takes what is a sitcom and turns it upside down, making a story about a subject matter such as depression very accessible to the audience,” he said.
Alford said Rosenstock is also a staff writer on the FOX TV series New Girl.
All the actors agree the story is about getting one’s life together.
“Every character is knocked down and has to get back up,” said Casey Magin, who plays high school principal Joseph. “It’s not about how to win the game but how to get back up and keep trying.”
Magin said that because he has an 18-year-old son, it was easier to relate to his character.
“It was still difficult playing a principal that was trying to maintain control yet drowning emotionally due to the death of his wife and his troublesome son,” he said.
Because additional seats will be built on the stage, part of the audience will be up close and personal with the actors, Magin said.
“This is as close as you can get to an actor during a performance,” he said.
Tigers Be Still will run April 24-28 in Theatre Northwest. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. The performance is rated PG-13 due to adult themes and language.
Performances are free for all TCC students, faculty and staff, $3 for non-TCC students and seniors and $6 for the general public.
Tickets may be purchased on the day of the performance or reserved by calling the box office at 817-515-7724.
