Butler Theatre Season concludes with ‘The Last Lifeboat’

Performances run Thursday, April 14, Friday, April 15, and Saturday, April 16 at 7:30 p.m. and a matinee performance Saturday, April 16 at 2 p.m. in the College Theatre on the El Dorado campus.

The play tells the story of J. Bruce Ismay, the man who built the “most magnificent ship the world had ever known,” the RMS Titanic. Glory, regret and survival are at the center of this epic memory play. A cast of 11 actors play more than 50 roles and through the artistic conventions of the theatre recreates the life of Ismay and the sinking of his creation.

The play’s director, Fine Arts Lead Instructor and Assistant Professor of Theatre Samuel Sparks says, “This play combines the magic of the theatre with one of the world’s great tragedies. The sinking of the Titanic is an event now of mythic symbolism that fascinates generations of people. Mr. Yankee’s play captures the struggles of survivors and uses artistic simplicity to showcase the journey they face.”

Davyd Ledgerwood of Augusta plays J. Bruce Ismay, the chairman of the White Star Line. Sarah Slack of Wichita plays his wife Florence Ismay. Nicole Walker of Wichita plays his childhood love Vivian Pettiford.  Playing more than 50 characters throughout the play include Butler students Tad Gilbert of Andover, Madisyn Coats of Hanston, Jordan Debbrecht of Rose Hill, Miranda Kimble of Mullinville, Rylee Jellison of Protection, Logan Graves of Wichita, José Cruz of Topeka, and Andrew Bohlender of Towanda. Sofia Morales of Wichita is the stage manager. Bernie Wonsetler, associate professor of theatre and speech, is the scenic and lighting designer.

“I’ve had a remarkable time working with this company of students,” said Sparks. “They bring vibrant imagination and professionalism to the rehearsal room and because of this we’ve been able to create a creative and nuanced production.”

The Butler Fine Arts Box Office is open 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Monday - Friday. Reservations can be made by calling 316-322-3262 or online by visiting www.butlercc.edu/boxoffice. Tickets are $5 for adults and $2 for children and senior citizens. Tickets are free with a current Butler ID, but reservations are still needed.

The Butler Theatre Department produces four productions annually and offers full in-state tuition and book scholarships to qualifying students in both performance and technical theatre. Interested students should contact Bob Peterson, bpeterson@butlercc.edu.

Performers by Hometown

Andover
Tad Gilbert

Augusta
Davyd Ledgerwood

Hanston
Madisyn Coats

Mullinville
Miranda Kimble

Protection
Rylee Jellison

Rose Hill
Jordan Debbrecht

Topeka
José Cruz

Towanda
Andrew Bohlender

Wichita
Logan Graves
Sarah Slack
Nicole Walker