The French philosopher Montaigne maintained “there is not much less
vexation in the government of a private family than in the managing of
an entire state”. Here in the theatre at Wellesley College we have decided
to peruse the question of familial relationships in many configurations
for this our second year back home in Alumnae Hall. Whether it be
the three generations of the Armenian family from New Jersey in our
first show, or the eccentric but very human Stott family in World War 2
era Newcastle-on-Tyne in our last, all are united by the dynamics of
love,food, feuding and family. We decided to explore these stories in
this time because families form the basis of our foundation in life, whatever
shape or composition they possess. Some are formed within a
close circle of blood relations, others are forged in the life ofthe work we
choose. For good or bad they imprint us with a geneological and emotional
history. As I reflect on this coming season and the joy with which
we embrace these stories, I am again reminded of one of my favorite
quotes from the Thomas Wolfe novel Look Homeward Angel:
“Each of us is all the sums he has not counted;subtract us into nakedness
and night again,and you shall see begin in Crete four thousand
years ago the love that ended yesterday in Texas.”
Together, you our audiences and our actors technicians and designers
are embarking on a farflung tour of families and their intricacies. May
the journey bring joy and enlightenment to all.
-Nora Hussey
Diana Chapman Walsh Alumnae Hall | 106 Central Street Wellesley MA
The Mai
Pride's Crossing
Our Town