Jon Hassler Theater opens Mercy of a Storm Friday

The Jon Hassler Theatre will offer a sneak preview of their new offering, Mercy of a Storm, on Friday, August 3. The play opens on Saturday and plays Thursdays through Sundays until September 2.

Written by Minnesotan Jeffery Hatcher and directed by Matt Sciple, Mercy of a Storm is set on New Year’s eve in 1945. Jon Hassler Theater offers a synopsis on their web page. (Click the link and scroll down for the summary.) Peggy Sue Dunigan offers a brief thematic summary in her review of New York’s Next Act Theatre company production of the play:

“Romance vs. love. Cold outside (the winter weather) vs. warm inside (the summer pool house). Wealth vs. working class. Old vs. young. Divorce vs. marriage. This play is a study in contrasts that give the play contemporary meaning in a period setting. Jeffrey Hatcher, an accomplished playwright whose work has previously been produced on Milwaukee stages, subtly captures the conflicts of each contrast, with little resolution, through cleverly and passionately written dialogue. Everything is filtered through the personalities of George and Zanovia, both flawed and hurting, as Hatcher creates characters that he and the audience care about.” Vital Source Magazine.

Phil Kilbourn and Linsay Hinman in Jeffery Hatcher's Mercy of a Storm. (Photo: Jon Hassler Theater)

This two-person play features Lindsay Hinman as Zanovia and Phil Kilbourn as George. Both actors come to the Jon Hassler with extensive acting credits in the Twin Cities and beyond. Hinman has appeared with the Illusion Theater and Jungle Theater in Minneapolis, and she starred in the award winning independent film Firefly. Kilbourne has worked extensively in the Twin Cities as an actor and director, including appearances at the Jungle Theater, Penumbra Theatre, and the Frank Theatre. He was named City Pages “Best of the Twin Cities” Actor in 2005.

Visit the John Hassler Theater for schedules and tickets: Jon Hassler Theater