Civic presents “Voice of Good Hope”

By Emilie Tole
Western Herald

The Kalamazoo Civic Theatre will premier Kristine Thatcher’s “Voice of Good Hope” this Friday.
A Michigan native, Thatcher began acting at the age of 16 in her hometown of Lansing, Mich. She continued her theatrical career acting with regional and professional theatres across the nation.
“Voice of Good Hope” was written during Thatcher’s time in Chicago at Victory Garden Theatre, according to Civic director Robert L. Smith.

Bethany Bohlen/Western Herald - The Civic Theatre located at 329 South Park St. in downtown Kalamazoo.

“This is a fairly recent play,” Smith said. “It premiered at Victory Garden Theatre in March of 2000.”
Since then, the play has been performed in theatres across the country, including San Francisco and New York.
“Voice of Good Hope” gives a biographical account of the adult life of congresswoman Barbara Jordan, who became the first African American woman to serve in the Texas Senate in 1966. Jordan was elected into the United States House of Representatives in 1972.
Through her career, Jordan was diagnosed with several illnesses.
“She spent the last seven years of her life in a wheel chair, but never complained,” Smith said.
“She was as tough as nails and died at age 59. She was perhaps one of the best speakers of the 20th century.”
Smith, who is directing “Voice of Good Hope,” has been a union member of the Actor’s Equity Association for over 30 years.
He was a faculty member of the Theatre Department at Western Michigan University and has been directing for about 55 years.
“I have lots of experience because it is my love, my passion,” Smith said.
Smith continues to take part in directing and acting projects throughout the community.
Last year, he was seen on the stage of Farmer’s Alley Theatre in the production of “Escanaba in Love.”
Smith spoke very highly of his cast for “Voice of Good Hope.”
“I lucked out,” Smith said. “It doesn’t really matter how good the director or how well the play is written. If you have bad actors, it just won’t happen. They are a wonderful cast, and I’ve really enjoyed working with them.”
The first performance of “Voice of Good Hope” will be held at The Civic on Friday, Feb. 19 at 8 p.m.
Ticket reservations can be made by calling the Civic box office at 269-343-1313 or visiting www.kazoocivic.com.

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Posted by HeraldAdmin on Feb 17 2010. Filed under A & E, Weekend Scene. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

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