The North
Carolina Theatre for Young People and UNCG Theatre
will present “In the Garden of the Selfish Giant,”
a tale of understanding, forgiveness and friendship,
in Taylor Theatre March 15-20.
Written by Sandra Fenichel Asher, the play is about
11-year-old Maggie Campbell and her mother, Susan,
who must come to terms with the imminent death of
Susan’s mother. With the help of a new friend,
her mother and a hospice worker, Maggie learns important
lessons about making and being a friend, understanding
others, and letting go.
“This inspiring, funny and poignant play explores
difficult questions that are important to young people,”
said director Rachel Briley, an assistant professor
in the Department of Theatre. “What does it
mean to be a friend? What is the difference between
lying and telling stories? How do I confront my fears?”
The play already is touring, visiting elementary schools,
libraries and community centers every Tuesday and
Thursday of the spring semester. More than 10,000
area school children are expected to see the production
on its tour, and 2,000 more will see it at Taylor
Theatre.
The parent of a student at Aycock Middle School, wrote
to the cast and crew, “Thank you all for your
exciting and uplifting program of ‘In the Garden
of the Selfish Giant!’ … Each character
was beautifully portrayed.”
Melissa Guyer serves as scene designer; Tracy Floyd
serves as costume designer; and Maggie Campolieta
serves as lighting designer. The cast members are
Carolina Margarella, Kelly Hibbard, Amanda Nicastro
and Ashley Perryman.
The play will be performed at Taylor Theatre on Tate
Street at 9:30 a.m. March 15, 17 and 18; 2 p.m. March
19 and 20; and 8 p.m. March 18. Free parking for evening
and weekend shows is available behind the Weatherspoon
Art Museum.
Call (336) 334-4849 between noon and 5 p.m. weekdays
to order tickets by phone. Tickets also are available
at the University Box Office and one hour before curtain
time at Taylor Theatre. Tickets are $7 for adults,
$6 for seniors and non-UNCG students, and $5 for children
and UNCG students.
NCTYP has worked with Hospice of the Piedmont and
the Girl Scouts on this production. Tickets to the
Saturday, March 19, performance are $5 for those affiliated
with the two organizations. There will be a discussion
of the show immediately after that day’s performance.
For more information, visit the Department of Theatre’s
web site at www.uncg.edu/the.
