Grappling With Guilt, God & Ghosts: Theater Barn Will Host Reading Of ‘Gone Astray’

RIDGEFIELD — Ridgefield Theater Barn will present the third in its series of play readings of unproduced works by local authors on Tuesday, October 11, at 7:30 pm. The evening will be the world premiere of the Jenie S. Redling’s drama Gone Astray, already a winner of the prestigious Stanley Drama Award.

The staged reading series gives local playwrights an opportunity to have their work presented in a professional atmosphere and gives them constructive feedback through a “talkback” session with the audience immediately following the performance.

The reading is directed by Nancy Ponturo, who recently directed Ms Redling’s play Broken Moon at the American Globe Theater in New York. She is also the artistic director of the Summer Shakespeare Program at New Pond Farm in West Redding, where she has directed Much Ado About Nothing and A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

The plot involves a desperate woman, Kevin O’Mally, who has insisted for nine years that her abducted child is still alive. Since her daughter’s disappearance she has frozen herself, her husband and their retarded son in a changeless state.

As the missing girl’s 20th birthday approaches, she is enraged at God and tempted by unknown spirits. So when Abbie Firewing — a young Lakota Sioux woman — appears at her doorstep, Kevin persuades the supposed psychic to help recover the lost child.

Kevin’s quest brings her to a place known only to Native Americans: half spirit and half real. There she must grapple with guilt, God and ghosts in order to break the spell of waiting that has engulfed her family and her soul.

The cast for the reading features Moira Box as Kevin O’Mally, John O’Hern as Warren O’Mally, David Fretz as Winston O’Mally, Chriselle Almeida as Abbie Firewing, and Robert Ponturo as Dave Trumbull.

Craig David Rosen will serve as moderator.

Ridgefield Theater Barn is at 37 Halpin Lane. Admission is free and light refreshments will be served. Reservations are not required.

For more information, call 203-431-9850.