DePauw Theatre Presents Vinegar Tom
Cast members Kate Williamson and Marielle Gearding rehearse DePauw University’s production of “Vinegar Tom,” which will be presented in four performances, Nov. 7-10, at the Green Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets are available at the GCPA box office
November 8, 2024
DePauw Theatre will present “Vinegar Tom,” by acclaimed British playwright Caryl Churchill, Nov. 7-10 in Moore Theatre in the Green Center for the Performing Arts.
First performed in 1976 and set during the 17th-century European and North American witch craze, the play blends historical reality with pressing contemporary concerns. Performances on Thursday through Saturday, Nov. 7-9, will begin at 7:30 p.m., and there will be one matinee at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 10.
In an isolated rural village, a woman’s lover claims to be the devil. Her mother curses at a neighbor. Crops are failing, livestock are dying, and family tensions are brewing. An herbal healer offers help with a pregnancy, and the betrothed daughter of a prosperous landowner refuses to marry. Doctors claim she’s insane and tie her up. Behind it all is the titular Vinegar Tom, a stealthy cat often seen lurking about, boldly plundering barns and milk sheds. Could he be a witch’s imp or the devil himself? Finally, a witch hunter arrives, and no woman is above suspicion.
Though “Vinegar Tom” takes place in the distant past, it grapples with issues facing us right now: Abuses of power, religious freedom, women’s rights and cultural fears. As Churchill reflects, “I wanted to write a play about witches with no witches in it; a play not about evil, hysteria and possession by the devil but about poverty, humiliation and prejudice, and how the women accused of witchcraft saw themselves.”
“Vinegar Tom” is funny as well as terrifying, with some laugh-out-loud moments. In DePauw’s production, the play’s original song lyrics have been set to new music composed by students Zoë Kales ’25; George Kolodsick ’26, who also plays piano in the on-stage band; Evelyn Croy ’28, who sings and plays baritone ukulele; and Rebekah Paul ’27, who also is assistant director and music captain for the play. Student Griffin Chyall ’25, a veteran performer in many DePauw plays and musicals, serves as production stage manager, and DePauw alumna Teresa Shunk, a member of the class of ’23, is the musical adviser.
A distinctive feature of the DePauw production will be the animated imagery by student videographer Chi Pham ’25, whose short film “Crunch” recently was screened at Washington University’s WashU Film Fest. Sophomore Coralie Humbert is the production’s costume designer.
The “Vinegar Tom” ensemble cast includes actors Jason Benyousky ’27, Grace Buehler ’25, Dorian Dowd ’27, Marielle Gearding ’27, Jolie Le ’27, So Eun Lee ’28, Mason Flatt ’27, Ella McAllister ’27, Hallie Rice ’28, Annette Tran ’26, Eli Widmer ’25 and Kate Williamson ’28, and singers Sara Bethards ’28, Emelia Parson ’27, Amelia Roser ’28 and Elisa Vu ’28.
“Vinegar Tom” is directed by Professor Ron Dye, a faculty member in DePauw’s Communication and Theater and English departments. Dye’s directing is informed by his background as a playwright and actor, as well as songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. Known for fostering student engagement through a collaborative style, his often-provocative work tackles complex social and psychological issues.
In addition to directing numerous plays during his 25 years of teaching at DePauw, Dye also has served as artistic director for the Bloomington Playwrights Project and as vice chairman of playwriting for Region VI of the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival.
“Vinegar Tom” contains strong language and depictions of intimate violence. Audience discretion is advised.
General admission tickets, which are $10, are free to all students (including non-DePauw students) and are available online and at the GCPA box office, beginning one hour before each performance.