As the sunny season approaches, the Wilma Theater is set to delight local audiences with the opening of ‘A Summer Day’ on June 10. This enchanting production promises to deliver a captivating experience as it delves into the depths of memory and the complexities of the human experience.
Written by Nobel Prize-winning playwright Jon Fosse and translated by Sarah Cameron Sunde, ‘A Summer Day’ explores a magical and psychological narrative. The play is under the direction of Yury Urnov, Co-Artistic Director of the Wilma Theater, who emphasizes the challenge and richness of Fosse’s work.
In Urnov’s words, “The Wilma Theater is at its best when faced with a challenge. ‘A Summer Day’ by Jon Fosse is a work I’d never think of approaching if not for our splendid HotHouse Acting Company or our risk-taking audience. It’s so open for interpretation, so multilayered, and, at the same time, Fosse knows how to keep you on the edge of your seat. He mixes genres like no one else. The play is simultaneously a suspenseful investigation story, an emotional drama, a piece of theater, poetry, and philosophy.”
Fosse, a renowned Norwegian author and playwright, has seen his works produced globally, yet ‘A Summer Day’ has had limited exposure in the United States, having only been performed once before in an off-Broadway production at the Cherry Lane Theatre in 2012.
The cast of this Wilma production features members of the Wilma HotHouse Acting Company, including Krista Apple, Campbell O’Hare, Melanye Finister, Brett Ashley Robinson, and Ross Beschler. They are joined by Philadelphia-based actor Jaime Maseda.
The HotHouse at Wilma was established in 2011 by founder Blanka Zizka, which has since focused on nurturing artistic talent through numerous workshops led by international master teachers. Such an environment allows for the flourishing of new interpretations, making the production of ‘A Summer Day’ particularly exciting.
The storyline centers around an older woman, portrayed by Krista Apple, who grapples with the haunting memory of a pivotal summer day when her husband, Asle (played by Maseda), set out to sea and never returned. Having lived alone in a remote house by the bay for decades, her life changes with a visit from an old friend, portrayed by Melanye Finister, leading her to converse with her younger self, played by Campbell O’Hare. The narrative weaves gracefully between past and present, facilitating a journey of self-discovery and confrontation with the truths of that fateful day.
Previews of ‘A Summer Day’ kick off on June 10 and continue through June 12, culminating in an invite-only opening performance on June 13 at 7 p.m. The show will officially run through June 29. Tickets, starting at $35, can be purchased online or via the Wilma’s box office at 215-546-7824. Various discounts, rush tickets, and “Pay-What-You-Wilma” options for preview performances are available.
Key events to note include a Childcare Matinee on June 21 at 2 p.m., which features paid childcare in partnership with Music Theatre Philly. Additionally, the Wilma is collaborating with Head House Books for an inaugural WilmaHouse Book Club on June 15, inspired by Fosse’s book ‘Morning and Evening.’ Participants can join after the Sunday matinee to discuss the connections between the book and the play in the Good Karma Café.
On June 22, a post-show conversation with production members will take place, allowing audiences to engage with the creative team. Furthermore, an Open Mic night on June 23 at 7 p.m. invites the public to participate, with HotHouse Company member Jaylene Clark Owens and poet Cyn Jones leading a discussion about the play’s themes, particularly focusing on the concept of being “Stuck in the Past.”
The performances on June 17 and 26 will also include a post-show Café Chat, inviting audience interaction with the cast and crew, moderated by artistic team members. Additionally, on June 20, the Wilma will celebrate African American audiences through a Black Affinity Night, offering “Pay-What-You-Wilma” ticket pricing.
For those unable to attend in person, the Wilma Theater will provide an on-demand streaming option of ‘A Summer Day’ available from July 7 to 27, allowing wider access to this mesmerizing theatrical experience.
image source from：https://metrophiladelphia.com/a-summer-day-wilma-theater/
