- By Kitchen Theatre
- Entertainment
Print 
In Samuel Beckett’s HAPPY DAYS, Winnie is buried in a mound up to her waist. Her memory may or may not be failing her. The sun blasts down and she cannot escape it. It is a lonely spot on the Earth. Perhaps the daily routine is really just a ritual performed in anticipation of an inevitable end—death? And, yet, Winnie begins by saying, “Another heavenly day!”How does the human race survive? Beckett’s forever optimistic and forever helpless Winnie demonstrates her recipe for life in a play that is a celebration and a warning, hilarious and heart breaking.
The Kitchen Theatre Company continues its 18th Season with its first production of a play by Nobel Prize-winning 20th Century master playwright Samuel Beckett: HAPPY DAYS, directed by Jesse Bush and starring Susannah Berryman and R.M. Fury. The production runs from October 8 – November 2 on the Kitchen Theatre Main Stage.
“I love that we are tackling this amazing play. I believe it is important that in addition to producing new work, we should always look at those plays that were the groundbreaking new work of their generation. Beckett’s work is timeless, as the questions he raises are in essence humanity’s big question – what is the meaning of existence? This is a conversation starter!” says KTC Artistic Director, Rachel Lampert.
Born in Ireland in 1906, Beckett spent much of his life in Paris. He changed the world of theater with his masterpiece WAITING FOR GODOT, which premiered in 1953. He wrote most of his plays in French, but HAPPY DAYS was written in his original language and dialect. HAPPY DAYS had its American premiere in 1961. New York Times theater critic Howard Taubman’s review said, “With HAPPY DAYS, Samuel Beckett has composed a song of rue that will haunt the inner ear long after you have heard it.”
Taking on the role of Winnie is Kitchen Theatre Company veteran Susannah Berryman. Ms. Berryman appeared most recently as Amanda in THE GLASS MENAGERIE and has been in KTC productions of ROAD TO MECCA, A PERFECT GANESH, THE CRIPPLE OF INISHMAAN, MRS. KLEIN, A DELICATE BALANCE, WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF?, SYLVIA and COLLECTED STORIES. She was in the premiere of THE BOOK CLUB by Rachel Lampert and originated the role of Rose in TONY & THE SOPRANO by Lampert/Pressgrove; she will be in the encore production later this season at the KTC.
Playing the often sleeping but always-vigilant Willie is another Kitchen Theatre Company vet, R.M Fury. Mr. Fury was last seen as Solomon in THE PRICE. He has also appeared at the Kitchen in THE DRAWER BOY, THE TRESTLE AT POPE LICK CREEK and TRUE WEST.
Directing the play is Jesse Bush, Associate Artist and Education & Outreach Coordinator at the Hangar Theatre in Ithaca. At the Kitchen, he has directed THE SANTALAND DIARIES, TWO ROOMS and THE DRAWER BOY and acted in THE GLASS MENAGERIE, THE ANGLE OF THE SUN and other productions. This season he will be reprising his role as Vinny in Lampert & Pressgrove`s TONY & THE SOPRANO. He most recently directed Hangar Theatre Next Generation Theatre School students in LES MISERABLES School Edition.
HAPPY DAYS will feature scenic design by Steve TenEyck, Associate Chair for the Department of Theatre at Ithaca College. His previous work at the Kitchen includes scenic and/or lighting design for COMFORT FOOD, THE ANGLE OF THE SUN, THE PRICE, TWO ROOMS, THE DRUNKEN CITY, THE TRIAL, THE BOOK CLUB, FULLY COMMITTED, A PERFECT GANESH and others. Lighting design is by Ithaca College senior design major Kelly Syring, and costume & prop design is by Nik Taylor.
----
v4i38