The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-In-The-Moon Marigolds
By Paul Zindel
Winner of the 1971 Pulitzer Prize for Drama
Run Dates: March 20-30
Thursdays: 7PM
Fridays: 7PM
Saturdays: 2PM and 7PM
Sundays: 2PM
Director: Emma Denny
Tickets: $25 in advance or $30 at the door. Group rates are available for parties of 10+.
This powerful and moving study of an embittered, vindictive widow and her two young daughters has been hailed as one of the most significant and affecting plays of our time.
Supporting herself and her two daughters by taking in a decrepit old boarder, acid-tongued Beatrice Hunsdorfer wreaks a petty vengeance on everyone around her. Her older daughter, Ruth, is a pretty but highly strung girl subject to convulsions, while her younger girl, Tillie, plain and almost pathologically shy, demonstrates an intuitive gift for science.
Encouraged by her teacher, Tillie conducts a botanical experiment, winning a prize at her high school. Proud but jealous, too filled with her own hurt to accept her daughter's success, Beatrice can only maim when she needs to love and deride when she intends to praise. Yet, as Tillie's experiment proves, something beautiful and full of promise can emerge from even the most barren, afflicted soil.
See the Difference at Ghostlight:
Authenticity: We are proud to present this show in its original form (no adaptations here!)
Intimate Theatre Experience: Enjoy the show in our black-box theatre, where every seat offers a great view of the stage and allows you to be closer to the action.
High Quality (And Affordable!) Live Entertainment: Ghostlight has won multiple ariZoni Theater Association awards, yet we keep our ticket prices affordable in order to inspire as many people as possible to experience the transformational effects of live theatre.
Our Talented Cast
Anora Biggs as Tillie
Anora has been recognized for her previous work in roles such as Wendy Darling in Lost Girl (AriZoni award), Grace Fryer in Radium Girls (AriZoni nomination), and Rhoda Penmark in The Bad Seed (NYA award).
Kate Donick as Ruth
Kate is a National Youth Artist Award winner and a three-time AriZoni nominee. Some of her notable theatrical credits include Susan in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, Winnie in Tuck Everlasting, and Bisby in Loving Lives.
Cindy Miesse as Nanny
Cindy most recently played Melissa in Love Letters and Williamina Fleming in Silent Sky. She was last seen at Ghostlight as Ouiser in Steel Magnolias. Cindy has been performing in the valley since 2014, after a brief 37 year hiatus.
Kristin Moran as Beatrice
Highlights of Kristin’s artistic career include playing Madame Hattori in the award-winning short film thriller Madame Hattori’s Izakaya. Other favorite roles include Blanche (Brighton Beach Memoirs and Broadway Bound), Doris (Damn Yankees) and Veronica (God of Carnage). Later this year, Kristin will be performing her self-written one-woman show, Futakuchi Onna, which won Best Drama at the 2024 Tucson Fringe Festival.
Avery Sizzle as Janice
Show Warnings
The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds contains themes that may be distressing for some audiences. The following content warnings are provided for viewer consideration:
Mental Health: The play delves into complex issues of mental illness, including depression and emotional distress, portrayed through the characters' struggles.
Emotional and Verbal Abuse: The relationships within the family, particularly between the mother and her daughters, are marked by harsh verbal interactions and emotional manipulation.
Grief and Trauma: The characters confront personal loss and trauma, creating a heavy emotional atmosphere throughout the play.
About Ghostlight Theatre
Ghostlight Theatre is a 70-seat non-profit community theatre in Sun City West, open to all ages to perform and enjoy a show! Our mission is to entertain, educate, and enrich the community through dramatic arts by offering a quality and diverse theatre experience. We are proud to be a pillar of the performing arts community in Phoenix's West Valley as we celebrate our 15th season this year!