Stamp-collecting thriller opens Friday
at NOVA
Jaci Webb
• Nov 5, 2014
A thriller that
exposes the criminal underworld of stamp collecting opens Friday
at NOVA Center for the Performing Arts.
No, that’s no typo.
“Mauritius” is a thriller about stamp collecting, pitting two
half-sisters against each other.
The play, running
through Nov. 22, was written by Theresa Rebeck.
The sisters
discover their mother has left them rare stamps that have
philatelists the world over, including three who figure
prominently in this comedy, all grabbing and snatching for
ownership.
The survival of the fittest — or of the fastest in
the race — makes for tension-filled scenes of betrayal and
frustration, very much like scenes penned by Rebeck for TV
series such as “NYPD Blue” and “Law and Order: Criminal Intent.”
“Mauritius,” directed by Amanda Megyesi-McCave, is this
season’s Rankin File production. The Rankin File, named after
Montana legislator Jeannette Pickering Rankin, celebrates women
in the theatrical arts: playwrights, directors, producers,
actresses, designers, technicians and administrators.
Donors may join the Rankin File and see a sneak preview of
“Mauritius” on Thursday by donating at least $50 to NOVA for the
support of Rankin File productions. The evening will include an
opportunity to hear from director Amanda Megyesi-McCave about
the play and the process of producing it. Wine and desserts will
be served.
The veteran cast includes: Dawn Nickerson and
Kristin Mayer as the sisters; Vincent Raye, Travis Kuehn and
newcomer Stephen Daem as the scheming stamp collectors. Kyle
Trott designed the set.



Photographs by Hannah Potes, Gazette Staff