SHERMAN, TEXAS—The Austin College theatre program will present Eric Overmyer's On the Verge, or the Geography of Yearning, November 7–9 at 7:30 p.m. in Ida Green Theatre of Ida Green Communication Center. The production, directed by senior Cody Edwards of Eastland, Texas, is open to the general public. Tickets, $8 or free with Austin College ID, will be available at the door.
The play, according to the director, tells the story of three Victorian-era lady travelers newly arrived at Terra Incognita, the last “undiscovered, unexplored” bit of the map. Though differing wildly in methodology and ideals, Mary, Fanny, and Alexandra are united by their love of adventure, their expansive vocabularies, and their drive to disprove the notion that women are the weaker sex, Edwards said.
The cast for the show includes senior Lizzy Lincoln of Georgetown, Texas, as Mary; sophomore Lindsey Womack of Austin, Texas, as Alexandra; junior Sarah Davis of Southmayd, Texas, as Fanny; and sophomore Nathan Johnson of Richmond, Virginia, as everyone else who appears.
“However, this undiscovered country has more than its share of surprises for the intrepid adventuresses, as they encounter curious artifacts and figures from some unseen civilization,” Edwards said. “Among these are an eggbeater, a cannibal who very literally is what he eats, and a small mirror bearing the words ‘Objects in mirror may be closer than they appear.’ It is at this point the ladies realize that they are moving forward, not in space, but in time.”
“A profound, clever, and very funny examination of the nature of moving forward, On the Verge examines imagination, courage, and optimism in the face of the unknown and the surreal,” Edwards concluded.
Kirk Everist, associate professor of theatre, added, “While the language in the play is formidable—ranging through decades of American idiom and references to 20th century culture—there is little content that would be in itself inappropriate for children. Openness to mystery and wonder will make the performance even more enjoyable.”
Austin College is a leading national independent liberal arts college located north of Dallas in Sherman, Texas. Founded in 1849, making it the oldest institution of higher education in Texas operating under original charter and name, the College is related by covenant to the Presbyterian Church (USA). Recognized nationally for academic excellence in the areas of international education, pre-professional training, and leadership studies, Austin College is one of 40 schools profiled in Loren Pope’s influential book Colleges That Change Lives.