MONROE — Monroe Theatre Guild is proud to present Making Sweet Tea and Other Secrets, one of the American Association of Community Theatre’s, AACT NewPlayFest—2018 winning plays. This powerful dramatic thriller, written by Paul Elliott, brings touching and humorous moments to life, while also delving into challenging scenes involving domestic violence and dark family secrets. Seasoned directors Denise Plantenberg and David Bristow team up again to bring this emotionally charged play to MTG’s Colony Brands Stage this March.
The AACT NewPlayFest is a celebration of theatre featuring original award-winning productions from across the country. The winning plays are the very best in community theatre and represent a powerful range of voices, stories, and artistic excellence. Founded in 1986, AACT is a nonprofit corporation that serves both individuals and organizations by providing expertise, assistance, and support so that community theatres can provide the best possible theatrical experience. Monroe Theatre Guild is a long-standing member of AACT. Making Sweet Tea and Other Secrets, one of six NewPlayFest—2018 plays, is LGBTQ+ inclusive and tells the story of a transgender teen finding her inner strength in overcoming childhood horrors and fearlessly establishing her gender identity.
As the story unfolds, we meet Dottie, played by Lou Dalton, and her sister, Ruth, played by Connie Denison, enjoying a quiet evening at their farmhouse in the rural south. When the sheriff, Robert, played by Eric Kassebaum, unexpectedly brings a battered teen, Amber, played by Sophie Moorman, to the sisters’ home, their peaceful country existence is turned upside down. Ruth resents the intrusion into their rural solitude; however, Dottie is committed to helping Amber once her true identity is discovered. As the storyline continues, life-shattering secrets begin to peel away, revealing prejudice, intolerance, domestic violence, and abuse within their small town.
Doc, played by veteran actor Jerry Bredeson, seen as the pillar of the community, is not the man they think he is. Doc’s wife, Janie, played by Genia Allard, and their son, Alan, now Amber, have been victims all their lives. While the local gossip, Sheila Ray, played by Sami McCoy, injects some much-needed humor into the plot, she unknowingly becomes part of the sisters’ scheme to expose Doc’s false façade. The cast also includes an understudy for Amber, Gracey Cox, who will have an opportunity to perform the role one night during the second weekend of performances.
Making Sweet Tea and Other Secrets, part of the Colony Brands Performance Series, will be presented at the Monroe Theatre Guild, 910 16th Avenue, Monroe, over two weekends. March 6, 7, 13, and 14 at 7 p.m., and March 8 and 15 at 2 p.m.. Tickets are on sale now on the MTG website, monroetheatre.com. Tickets can also be purchased in person at the MTG ticket window during its newly posted hours, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2-6 p.m., or by calling 608-325-1111.
Parental guidance is recommended for this emotionally charged play due to coarse and abusive language and content.
