Ghost-Writer

By Michael Hollinger

Directed by Cynthia White

Synopsis: In the early 20th century, New York author Franklin Woolsey hires Myra to type his popular novels. As Myra’s involvement in the mechanics and interpretation of Franklin’s dictation deepens, their metaphysical interplay becomes as entwined as their repressed attraction to each other. Even after Woolsey suddenly dies, Myra continues to finish his novel, to the consternation of his jealous wife Vivian. Is Myra channelling the words of a dead man, concocting a skillful scam, or finding her voice as a writer?

Performance dates:

Dates: Oct 14-16, 21-23, 28-30, Nov. 4-6
Fri/Sat: 7:30pm  Sun: 2pm

Location:

Sammamish Grange Hall, 14654 148th Ave NE, Woodinville, WA 98072

Ticket Prices:

Regular Tickets: $20

Senior (65+): $18

Students (with valid ID): $18

Director

Cynthia White

CYNTHIA WHITE was Director of New Play Development at Orlando Shakes from 2015-2021 where she directed Dancing Lessons, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Native Gardens, A Doll’s House Part 2, Becoming Dr. Ruth, and the video Poe: Deep into That Darkness Peering. As Associate Lecturer at UCF she taught directing, cocreated Pegasus PlayLab, and directed The Lion in Winter, Boy Gets Girl, #GodHatesYou, and Sweat. Cynthia has directed at universities and theatres across the country and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Woman in Mind, and Emma’s Child at Oregon Shakespeare Festival where she created their play development program while serving as Associate Director. She is very happy to be back in the Northwest working with Artistic Director Jane Ryan whom she first directed in an earlier decade!

Cast

Mary Leedy as Myra Babbage

Mary is thrilled to be making her debut at WRT! Most recently seen as Daphne in Skin Flick at the Phoenix Theatre, additional regional credits include the title role in Slyvia and Haversham in The Butler Did It at Renton Civic Theatre. Originally from North Carolina, Mary is best known for her role of Juniper in the U.S. premiere of Many Moons (Commonweath Endeavors). Other notable performances include Harper in Elevator (Commonwealth Endeavors), Claire in The Maids (Common Ground Theatre) and Madame de Tourvel in Les Liasons Dangerouses (NSCU).

Mary would like to say thank you to her husband Adam for his continued love and support!

Melanie Workhoven as Vivian Woolsey

Melanie is honored to have worked with WRT since its first production in 1998. She moved to Seattle from Los Angeles, where she appeared in several feature films and network TV. Her credits include roles opposite Mary Tyler Moore, Martin Mull, Ken Howard, Peter Boyle, Michael Keaton, Sylvester Stallone, and Robert Guillaume.

Favorite stage roles include: Vera Charles in “Mame,” Nurse Ratched in “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” Anna Livia Plurabelle in James Joyce’s “Finnegans Wake,” and Eleanor in “The Lion in Winter.”

Melanie last appeared as Titania in WRT’s virtual production of Midsummer Night’s Dream. She is thrilled to be a part of the West Coast premier of Ghost-Writer, with its rich language and intricately fascinating characters.

Curt Simmons as Franklin Woolsey

Since his 2014 return to theatre, Curt Simmons has appeared on stage at Mount Baker Summer Rep, Woodinville Rep, and The Phoenix Theater, plus several pandemic era Zoomies. Among his favorite roles are Ralph Bellini in “The Last Romance,” Billy/Stu in California Suite,” Walter Flood in “Becky's New Car,”and Mortimer Chalke in "It Could Be Anyone Of Us." Curt is an award-winning producer and audiobook
narrator.