Song of Survival was written by Eleanor Harder and Ray Harder and is based on the autobiographical work of Helen Colijn, who survived three-and-a-half years of internment in Japanese prisoner-of-war camps. This HACC TheatreWorks production tells her story and the story of all the women imprisoned with her and the music they created to sustain and uplift themselves.
Present-day Helen, as narrator, faces the memory of herself as a younger girl in the group of imprisoned women. Conflict results, and whereas today's Helen urges forgiveness, young Helen insists that the daily horrors be remembered. Among the prisoners there is humor, extraordinary courage and compassion, as well as acts of selfishness. But above all, there's glorious music to unite them and give them hope.
Directed by HACC Theatre Professor Marnie Brennan, the all female cast (in alphabetical order) features: Eliza Beecher as Sylvia; Kate Davis as Young Helen; Shannon Flannery as Berta; Stephanie Guilmette as Sister Marie; Joy Hymon as Lorna; Jocelyn Lowe as Nettie; Sheri Morgan as Old Helen; Allison Reisinger as Edna; Elizabeth Schiavo as Mavis; Ada Smith-Sparling as Jane; Angela Snyder as Suli; Jessica Tripp as Greta; Carol Williams as Dawn; and Jean Wise as Dorothy. Allison Miller is stage manager.
Song of Survival takes place in Sumatra in the early 1940's and features a set designed by Dave Olmsted, scenic designer/production manager; complemented by lighting designed by Lori Friedlander, theatre technical director; sound designed by Tamara Heagy; and costumes designed by HACC theatre instructor, Paul Foltz. The music director is Tina Bakowski, HACC assistant professor of music.
HACC TheatreWorks presents Song of Survival on Friday, February 24 and Saturday, February 25 at 8pm. Adult ticket price is $9 and student price is $7. The Box Office phone is 231- ROSE (7673). Advanced ticket purchase is recommended. This performance is not appropriate for children under 15 years of age. No admission after the first act begins.