Thank you for your support!
This performance is made possible by arrangements with Dramatist Play Service, Inc.
talley's folly by Lanford wilson
The Story
The scene is a deserted Victorian boathouse on the Talley place in Lebanon, Missouri; the time 1944. Matt Friedman, an accountant from St. Louis, has arrived to plead his love to Sally Talley, the susceptible but uncertain daughter of the family. Bookish, erudite, totally honest, and delightfully funny, Matt refuses to accept Sally’s rebuffs and her fears that her family would never approve of their marriage. Charming and indomitable, he gradually overcomes her defenses, telling his innermost secrets to his loved one and, in return, learning hers as well.
Reviews
“…Mr. Wilson is one of our most gifted playwrights, a dramatist who deals perceptively with definably American themes…he introduces us to two wonderful people, humanizing and warming them with the radiance of his abundant talent. TALLEY’S FOLLY is a play to savor and cheer.” —NY Times.
“It is perhaps the simplest, the most lyrical play Wilson has written—a funny, sweet, touching and marvelously written and contrived love poem for an apple and an orange.” —NY Post
BIOGRAPHIES
Emily Noon as Sally
D COREY HELSER – PRODUCER
Nick Kaprelian as Matt
Emily is thrilled to once again participate in a theatrical production after some time away from the stage. Emily is full of gratitude to have this opportunity to bring such a complicated leading lady to life.
Outside of theater, Emily spends her time coaching ice skating, pursuing her dreams of skating for Disney on Ice, and loving and supporting the people around her. Emily would like to thank her friends and family who have helped read lines and show their constant support and encouragement.
Special thanks to Nick, for agreeing to take on this quirky (crazy) role and his dedication to Matt. And, finally, thank you to Corey for everything he has added to her life over the years, and for asking her to step into Sally Talley's shoes.
We are not alone in what we do, we always have each other to lean on for support. Be kind to one another.
Nick Kaprelian as Matt
D COREY HELSER – PRODUCER
Nick Kaprelian as Matt
Nick has been acting in the Madison area for serval years with many of the local theater companies. Past productions include SMALL MOUTH SOUNDS (Madison Theater Guild), RHINOCEROS (Strollers theater), BONEDANCE (Madison College), PROM (Broom Street Theater) and CLYBOURNE PARK (Madison College). Thank you to Corey and Emily for their time, talent and dedication and to his mom and family (both blood and chosen) for all their support.
D COREY HELSER – PRODUCER
D COREY HELSER – PRODUCER
D COREY HELSER – PRODUCER
Corey has spent a lifetime in theater and education. His first show was in middle school and he actively pursued theater in high school, at Carroll College, then at the UW-Madison; receiving an MFA in Technical Theatre with an emphasis in Stage Management and Lighting Design.
After some time freelancing and touring, he settled in at Madison College as the first manager of the Mitby Theater. In addition to managerial duties, Corey has also designed, built and lit most of the shows for the student productions at Madison College.
Corey has also worked as a scenic designer, technical director, and lighting designer for several local companies: American Players Theatre, Madison Rep, Madison Opera, Four Seasons Theatre, Madison Savoyards, Children’s Theatre of Madison, Dance Wisconsin and as lighting designer for Epic Systems in Verona.
PRODUCER's NOTES
Additional Information
I have had a long association with Talley's Folly and it is one of my favorite shows. A sweet story of two fish out of water who find each other, and a bit of themselves in an overly complicated world. But the story contains so many gems. We can't help but want the best for these two lonely individuals.
And while we're all hopeful the COVID pandemic is being curtailed by responsible individuals getting their vaccinations, it is still too soon to open the doors of the theater and bring audiences inside. So this was the perfect show to do outdoors. Over this past year, The Rankin Theatre Guild has focused our efforts on getting shows prepared for video and streaming. But it will be wonderful to play in front of a live audience again. We hope you join us in the beautiful countryside of Thoreau Park in Sun Prairie. It is truly the perfect setting for this love story between and apple and an orange.
Thank you for your support!
D. Corey Helser
Welcome
Named in honor of May Nickel Rankin who began the theatre program at Carroll (College) University in 1896 with an inaugural production of “Richelieu” by Bulwer Lyton. She went on to establish the first theatre organization in the state of Wisconsin, and developed the curriculum for theatre arts at Carroll.