Published: November 05, 2009 08:44 pm         

‘Night of the Iguana’ opens tonight at Terre Haute Community Theatre

TERRE HAUTE — Tennessee Williams’ drama “The Night of the Iguana” opens tonight at the Terre Haute Community Theatre. Director Lew Hackleman, former ISU professor of theatre, directs a 14-member cast with set design by Jon Gibbons.

Expelled from his Virginia church, the Rev. Shannon, played by Pete Ciancone, travels to Mexico in search of his destiny. There, he becomes a tour guide for a busload of spinsters, chaperoned by the strict Miss Fellows, (Janice Dukes) and a teenage nymphet (DeAnn Nilson)

To save money, he takes the group to a seedy hotel owned by an old friend, the man-hungry Maxine, played by Jude Ciancone. Once there, he becomes enamored with another guest, the rather genteel Hannah, played by Carrie Price. As the wise Hannah partially restores Shannon’s fractured world, he struggles to get back the rest of his sanity and self-respect.

Additional performances are Saturday and Sunday and Nov. 13, 14 and 15. Friday and Saturday performances have an 8 p.m. curtain; Sunday matinees begin at 2:30 p.m.

Tickets are $12 for adults, $6 for children and students. Reservations may be made by calling the Community Theatre ticket office between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. at (812) 232-7172 or (812) 232-7173.