On November 8-10, BYU–Hawaii’s theatre department presented John Patrick’s The Curious Savage, a comedic play about the recently widowed Ethel P. Savage and her inheritance of ten million dollars. Savage, aided by a group of social misfits, misleads her selfish step children from the inheritance in order to ensure that the money is spent with integrity. With the help of a delirious mother, a compulsive liar, an ex-military pilot, a once statistician, and an extreme cynic, Savage is able to carry out her plans to establish a fund for others to achieve their dreams.
This high comedy play had the audience cheering and laughing alongside Mrs. Savage and her friends. The Curious Savage sought to leave the audience with a restored faith in the world through the genuine efforts of one woman to improve the lives of others.
The play was set in the 1950s and takes place primarily inside the sanatorium Mrs. Savage was sent to. The set design was meticulous in detail, enough that the audience was entertained throughout the play with only one set. Adam Eastburn, a sophomore studying art said, “I really enjoyed the aesthetics of the play. The costumes, set, and overall ambiance had a good feel to it.”
Dr. Craig Ferre, a thirty-two year theatre and speech professor at BYU–Hawaii directed the play, and was particularly impressed with this cast. “Because our students here are so wonderful they usually get along but I think there is a special bond with this cast. They had a real comradery and were very supportive of one another.”
The cast included Makenzie Head as Florence, Ben Bates as Hannibal, Erica Brady as Fairy May, Justin Cardiff as Jeffery, Janae Wilkey as Mrs. Paddy, Clayton Porter as Titus, LeGrand Lawrence as Samuel, Bailey Loveless as Lily Belle, Celesta Hubner as Ethel, Melece Meservy as Miss Wilhelmina, and Ben Nelson as Dr. Emmett.
The production was sponsored by the Department of Fine Arts. For more information, visit academics.byuh.edu/Finearts.