Oberon Theatre Ensemble
presents

THE WOODSMAN

Written by STEVEN FECHTER
Directed by ALEXANDER DINELARIS

Featuring
GABE BETTIO, GABRIEL CASTILLO, JANE CORTNEY, MERCEDES GRIFFETH,
EARLE HUGENS, & STEWART WALKER

Scenic Design: REBECCA LORD-SURRATT
Costume Design: BOBBY PEARCE
Sound Design/Composer: NICK MOORE
Lighting Design: AMITH A. CHANDRASHAKER
Prop Master: DEB DAOUETTE
Technical Director: DEREK F. DICKINSON
Assistant Director: MARK KARAFIN
Production Stage Manager: DEE DEE KATCHEN
Graphic Design: JOHN RIVOLI
Assistant Stage Manager: CHRIS McFARLAND
Production Manager: JENNA R. LAZAR
Publicist: HELLER HIGHWATER LLC

June Havoc Theatre
312 West 36th Street
New York, NY 10018
(866) 811-4111 or www.oberontheatre.org
April 21, 2014 through May 10, 2014

Darkly disturbed Walter has been thrust back into society after 12 years in prison. He visits his therapist regularly, as required, although he doesn’t much like the guy. He finds a tiny cheap apartment. His mood is intense, even frightening. He is physically free, but emotionally still a prisoner. He acknowledges his guilt, but totters on a wafer-thin edge of normalcy. He bitterly concentrates on one thought, and one thought alone: is the savage in him tamed, or will he revert to the monster he once was?

Walter is the silent loner type, so he is surprised when co-worker Nikki drops by one day. She is an outsider, but of a different sort. Nikki is one wild woman in an upbeat, edgy, sexy way. As their relationship develops, she finally draws out his dreadful secret.

THE WOODSMAN of the title refers to dark fairy tales inhabited by children, predators, and heroes. Playwright STEVEN FECHTER’s challenge was to show that even criminal predators are human beings. Those who are courageous can confront and conquer their inner demons. FECHTER later co-wrote the screenplay for the 2004 film “The Woodsman”, starring Kevin Bacon, based on this play.

Actor STEWART WALKER brings just the right depth of regret, determination, and anxiety to this difficult role. Neither he, nor we, know how this will end. The uncertainty maintains a level of tension that is palpable and intriguing. We, like Walter, hope for the best right to the last moment.

- Karen D'Onofrio