Clarke Drama Department to Present ‘The Caretaker’

The Clarke University Drama Department will present “The Caretaker” by Harold Pinter from Thursday, November 17, through Sunday, November 20, in Terence Donaghoe Hall on the Clarke campus. Performances will begin at 7:30 p.m. on November 17-19 and 2 p.m. on November 20. Tickets are $10 for adults, $7 for seniors and $5 for students. The Caretaker is a strikingly original drama with “a climax that tears the heart” by one of England’s most honored playwrights! A man is offered friendship, but his own shortcomings prevent him from experiencing it. This homeless wanderer fighting to gain a foothold and find a home will be ejected from Paradise because of his own hubris. Cast members for the show include Gage Steenhagen, of Roland, Iowa as Mick; Austin Rea, of Lodi, Wis., as Aston; and Clarke Assistant Professor of Drama Joe Klinebriel as Davies. The show is being directed by Professor of Drama Carol Blitgen, BVM, Ph.D. with Rebecca Brosnan, of Algona, Iowa, serving as stage manager. Ellen Gabrielleschi, MFA, chair and associate professor of drama, is the technical director for the show and Robert Neumann, adjunct instructor of drama, is the costume designer. In conjunction with this show, Clarke will offer a Broadway Comes to Clarke Workshop beginning at noon on Saturday, November 19. Featuring Broadway actress Farah Alvin and dance instructor/choreographer Connie Furlan, this will be an afternoon of workshop opportunities for high school students. Alvin has appeared on Broadway in “Nine,” “The Look of Love,” “Saturday Night Fever,” “Grease!” and “A Christmas Carol.” Furlan is a three-time Carbonell Award recipient for her roles in “Sweet Charity,” “West Side Story,” and “Lend Me A Tenor” who currently teaches in Department of Visual and Performing Arts at the University of Wisconsin – Platteville. The day at Clarke will include a complimentary pizza dinner with drama department faculty, tickets to the evening performance of “The Caretaker,” and a special talk back with the production’s cast/crew. This workshop is free for high school students, but reservations are required by calling (563)588-6550 or emailing drama@clarke.edu.  For more information, contact the Clarke University Marketing and Communication Office at (563)588-6318.