Saint Mary’s student production ‘Talking With …’ to run March 4-8

WINONA, Minn. — A collection of 11 quirky female characters will take the stage Thursday through Monday, March 4-8, as the Saint Mary’s University Department of Theatre and Dance presents “Talking With …” The production, under the direction of Dr. Gary Diomandes, begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Valéncia Academy Theatre, located at 10th and Vila streets. The Sunday show begins at 3 p.m.

Written by Jane Martin, “Talking With …” features 11 very different women including: a young woman who tests her Christian faith by handling poisonous snakes; a baton twirler who sees the face of Jesus 30 feet in the air; a destitute woman who wants to live in McDonald’s, where the sick are cured by Big Macs and no one ever dies; and a housewife who escapes to Oz every day.

They make us laugh and they make us think. And even when their challenges and crises appear larger than life, the characters embody universal issues: unbearable loneliness, crises of confidence, bereavement, loss of hope and struggles with faith. Their idiosyncratic characters amuse, move and frighten audiences while always speaking from the depths of their souls.

Tickets for adults are $10 for adults and $5 for students and seniors and are available at the SMU Box Office, (507) 457-1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday or online at www.pagetheatre.org.