As young adults, most college students are trying to figure out what they want from life and how to get it.

The WKU Department of Theatre and Dance’s latest Mainstage production, “Crimes of the Heart,” tells the story of three southern sisters who are experiencing this exact dilemma.

Michelle Dvoskin, assistant professor of theatre & dance and director of the show, said the comedy is about three sisters in Hazlehurst, Miss., “trying to get through what they call a ‘real bad day.’”

Advertisement

Dvoskin said the Pulitzer Prize-winning play was first produced at the Actors Theatre of Louisville and went on to a successful run on Broadway and as a film adaptation.

Lexington senior Susan Creech plays the role of Meg, the middle sister and rebel of the bunch.

“She witnessed her mother’s suicide long ago and has since been on the rebel path,” Creech said. “She left home to pursue a singing career in Hollywood and hasn’t been home in quite some time.”

Glasgow junior Elizabeth McKinney plays Babe, the youngest sister.

“Babe shot her husband because she was trying to kill him, but she missed and didn’t end up killing him,” McKinney said. “She’s so much fun and very innocent, charming and eccentric but smart, too. She doesn’t play off to be smart but she is.”

And Villa Hills senior Becca Trimbur, plays Lenny, the introverted oldest sister.

“It’s hard for her to express what she’s feeling and interact with everybody,” Trimbur said. “She also really wants to make everything better for her sisters and granddaddy. She takes care of everyone and makes sure everything is all right but doesn’t take care of herself because of that.”

Dvoskin thinks the humor is the huge selling point for this play.

“It’s not that you’re happy that they’re unhappy,” Dvoskin said. “You feel really bad for them, but you can’t stop laughing because it’s so ridiculously funny.”

Dvoskin said “Crimes of the Heart” is also an incredibly warm, lovely story and beautiful character study that’s great for anyone who really enjoys getting to know true-to-life characters.

“They’re all quirky and strange and damaged but also very, very human,” Dvoskin said.

Trimbur’s favorite part of starring in this production has been how much she and the two actresses playing her sisters have bonded through the rehearsal process.

“I feel like they are my real sisters,” Trimbur said. “We laugh at ourselves and each other.”

Dvoskin hopes audience members get as much joy from watching the show as the cast and crew have from working on it.

Advertisement

“I hope they will laugh a lot, and I hope they will cry a little, too,” Dvoskin said. “I suspect they may do both. It’s just that kind of play.”

“Crimes of the Heart” runs from Sept. 26 through Oct. 1 in WKU’s Russell Miller Theatre in the Fine Arts Center and is recommended for mature audiences.

All shows are at 8 p.m. except for the Sunday matinee, which is at 3 p.m.

Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for students. Advance tickets are available at wku.showare.com or by calling the box office at (270) 745-3121.