ALLEY THEATRE
Gregory Boyd, Artistic Director
Paul R. Tetreault, Managing Director

HALLIE FOOTE, ROBERTA MAXWELL
and
JEAN STAPLETON


The Alley Theatre Closes its 2000-2001 Season with a world premiere by renowned playwright HORTON FOOTE, THE CARPETBAGGER'S CHILDREN, which has been moved to Stages Repertory Theatre at 3201 Allen Parkway. All Patrons holding tickets to this production are asked to arrive at STAGES for the show. THE CARPETBAGGER'S CHILDREN Starring Jean Stapleton as Grace Anne (Pictured) is presented through July 08, 2001. Photo by T. Charles Erickson.


Make up Cast for The World Premiere of
HORTON FOOTE’S

THE CARPETBAGGER’S CHILDREN

at The Alley Theatre

June 1st through July 1st, 2001

Houston, Texas

As the rain poured relentlessly because of Hurricane Allison, the Alley Theatre presented the world premiere of Horton Foote’s THE CARPETBAGGER’S CHILDREN. Everyone who is anyone was there, Public Television Station's Channel 8 talk show host Ernie Manous of course, who is at almost every Theatre premiere. Socialite Lynn Wyatt of course, who is at almost every Alley Theatre Premiere, looking so lovely in the Front Row. Horton Foote, surrounded by friends and relatives. Director Michael Wilson was having a pleasant conversation with some very special guests. The line of people trying to get a seat was long but the show was sold out and the Arena Theatre was packed. The long line of people is evidence of the awesome power of Television. All of them trying to catch a glimpse of Edith Bunker of "ALL IN THE FAMILY" fame.

Directed by Michael Wilson, Hartford Stage Artistic Director and former Alley Theatre Associate Artistic Director, the production features Hallie Foote, Roberta Maxwell and Jean Stapleton. The Alley Theatre Directors Paul R. Tetreault and Gregory Boyd of course, attempting to make the proper introductions.

And then there she was. Jean Stapleton. She's aaaall that and a Carpetbag of chips. She was in rare form tonight as Grace Anne, one of five chilldren of a Carpetbagger in H-Town Harrison, Texas (or is it Houston, Texas?). Jean Stapleton, Destiny's Child. The Carpetbagger's Children are Beth, Cornelia, Sissie, Grace Anne, and Brother. Grace Anne, the rebellious daughter who had to sue for her share of the family estate because Father did not approve of her husband, the man she married. Cornelia, played by Roberta Maxwell as the responsible daughter, is in charge of the Estate.


DESTINY'S CHILD. Pictured (L-R) Jean Stapleton as Grace Anne, Hallie Foote as Sissie, and Roberta Maxwell as Cornelia. THE CARPETBAGGER'S CHILDREN is Presented at Stages Repertory Theatre at 3201 Allen Parkway through July 8th, 2001.


And here's the Carpetbag of Chips. The youngest daughter Sissie is played by Horton Foote's daughter Hallie Foote. Sissie has been singing for the family since she was a child. Hallie is perfect for the role as she possesses the most beautiful lilting singing voice that can - at the same time - lift your spirits up with its joyous melody AND send chills up your spine as she screams at the discovery of her father's death in his bed. This very special role is played by the Pulitzer Prize Winning Playwright Horton Foote's child. The experience of being able to view this particular event can be truly special and maybe even quite eerie. And can only be experienced in H-Town Houston, Texas (or is it Harrison, Texas?).

The only male sibling of the Carpetbagger's Children, Brother, is the one with all the failed businesses. Mother gets hysterical when Brother comes home with his lady friend. She just throws a fit and starts calling her a "hussie." Beth, is the one who gets sick and is so unfortunate because she gets sick at a very young age. One day, she is taken home from the hospital to die, was not told that she was too sick to live, and who cannot figure out why, thinking that she is all well, cannot figure out why she still cannot walk.

Cornelia, who gets smitten by the Charming Swindler Leon Davis. All that and a Carpetbag of Chips. We laugh, cry and sing to the tune of Pulitzer Prize Winning Playwright Horton Foote's lyrically woven tapestry of one family's rich past. As told by the three daughters of a Union soldier who came to H-Town Texas during the Civil War, liked what he saw, and moved there after the war. Commissioned by the Alley Theatre, THE CARPETBAGGER'S CHILDREN is a powerful story about family loyalty, rivalry and unity.


Ms. Hallie Foote, who plays the singing youngest daughter Sissie, has become the chief interpreter of her father’s work, collaborating with him on many of his plays including Hartford Stage’s THE DEATH OF PAPA (also with Ms. Stapleton, directed by Michael Wilson) and the recent world premiere of Mr. Foote’s THE LAST OF THE THORNTONS last November at the Signature Theatre Company.

An accomplished stage actor, Ms. Roberta Maxwell - who plays the practical Cornelia - has performed at theatres across the United States and has devoted many seasons to the Ontario Stratford Shakespeare Festival. She played opposite Julie Harris in the national tour of Peter Shaffer’s Lettice and Lovage and received Obie Awards for her performances in Ashes and Whistle in the Dark.


She's All That and a Carpetbag of Chips. Jean Stapleton Stars as Grace Anne in THE CARPETBAGGER'S CHILDREN, an Alley Production Presented at Stages Repertory Theatre located at 3201 Allen Parkway. Please call the Stages Box Office at 713-527-0123 for Ticket Information. Photo by T. Charles Erickson.




Ms. Jean Stapleton - who plays the rebellious Grace Anne - has enjoyed an illustrious career and has performed in Mr. Foote’s Off - Broadway productions of THE ROADS TO HOME and NIGHT SEASONS, both at th Signature Theatre, and the Hartford Stage production of Mr. Foote’s THE DEATH OF PAPA directed by Mr. Wilson. Ms. Stapleton has received numerous awards for her stage and television work, including three Emmy Awards and three Golden Globe Awards for her well-known work in ALL IN THE FAMILY. She also appeared in Mr. Foote’s television production of Lily Dale.

Renowned for his film, television and theatre writings of characters in Southeastern Texas, Mr. Horton Foote, who was born in Wharton, Texas, has a list of credits that date back to the 1940’s. His name is most often associated with THE TRIP TO BOUNTIFUL, which he wrote for television and the stage in 1953, and THE YOUNG MAN FROM ATLANTA, which earned him a Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1995. In between he received two Oscars, one for his screen adaptation of Harper Lee’s TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD in 1962 and one for his screenplay TENDER MERCIES in 1983. The playwright also received the Lucille Lortel Award in 1995 and was inducted into the Theatre Hall of Fame in 1996. His massive body of work includes the plays Courtship, On Valentine’s Day, 1918, Lily Dale, Convicts, Cousins, The Death of Papa, The Roads to Home, Dividing the Estate, Blind Date and The Habitation of Dragons, among others.

TICKET INFORMATION

Tickets to THE CARPETBAGGER’S CHILDREN - which begins previews June 1, opens June 6th, 2001 and runs through July 1st, 2001 can be purchased at the Alley Theatre Box Office, 615 Texas Avenue, by calling 713-228-8421. Tickets to preview performances are $23; tickets to performances on or after the June 6th, 2001 opening range from $37 - $42. Groups of 10 or more may purchase tickets at a discounted rate by calling 713-228-9341, ext. 346.