Gu’s Stages ‘Crimes Of The Heart’

Gonzaga University opens its theater season tonight with Beth Henley’s “Crimes of the Heart,” the 1981 Pulitzer Prize-winner for drama.

Mixing comedy and tragedy, this play focuses on the three Magrath sisters of Hazelhurst, Miss.

One is a failed singer; one is lonely and frustrated; and one is out on bail after shooting her husband because she “didn’t like his looks.” They try to support each other, without notable success most of the time.

The play clicked off-Broadway and then ran for nearly two years on Broadway. It was Henley’s first success and is still her best-known play.

The story is familiar to a wide audience thanks to the slightly-less-successful movie version starring Diane Keaton, Jessica Lange and Sissy Spacek.

The Gonzaga production is directed by John Rustan, assistant professor of communication arts. The cast includes Carolin Haydee-Lopez, Katie Carey and Annie Heinz as the three Magrath sisters. Other cast members include Elizabeth Grace Smith, Lawrence Rocco and Kerry Patrick.

It runs tonight, Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., and continues Oct. 23-25 at 8 p.m., plus a 2 p.m. matinee on Oct. 26.

Admission is $7 for adults and $3.50 for students and seniors. For reservations call the box office at 328-4220, ext. 3153.

All shows are at Gonzaga University’s Russell Theatre.

, DataTimes