“YOURS, THROGNOG”
‘My Uncle Burt’s letters time to his beloved Doris during World War II chronicled an intimate glimpse into a budding relationship in a tumultuous time. Often signing off with his quirky “Yours, Thrognog,” Burt’s letters provided the foundation for this show.” – M. Kreitlow
Audiences will experience America at war and all that means: women entering the workplace, the soldiers’ vacillating boredom and terror, loss of loved ones, civilians doing without, and the summoning of immense courage. Interfaced with present time, the character of elderly Doris conveys how dementia allows ‘reality’ to morph into a personal healing mythology. We also meet a granddaughter desperately seeking direction and forgiveness. Within overlapping realities the enduring power of love prevails. Boundaries of space and time grow increasingly mutable. Lake Superior cradles the story beginning to end.
Video is from an earlier version workshopped by Dept. of Theatre and Dance at Western Illinois University. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ra9sdXc8Xsk
Cast
DORIS OUNSWORTH KREITLOW, wife BURT KREITLOW, husband MALENA, their granddaughter VIVIAN, Burt’s cousin and Doris’ friend ESTHER KREITLOW, Burt’s Mother BURT’S BUNKMATES: HORIZONTAL/ENSEMBLE KRUEGER/ENSEMBLE ABBOT/ENSEMBLE HAMMER/ENSEMBLE MRS. EVELINE OUNSWORTH/ENSEMBLE JANE/ENSEMBLE NURSE/ENSEMBLE LUCILLE/ENSEMBLE FEMALE ENSEMBLE/DANCE CAPTAIN/SWING FEMALE ENSEMBLE/UNDERSTUDY SCOTT/WCCO ANNOUNCER/COMMANDING OFFICER/SOLDIER/ENSEMBLE RALPH/MR. RICHARD OUNSWORTH/SOLDIER/ENSEMBLE RUSTY/SERGEANT/SOLDIER/PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT/ENSEMBLE/ CBS ANNOUNCER/UNDERSTUDY BILL/SOLDIER/ENSEMBLE WILLARD/SOLDIER/ENSEMBLE Character tracks accommodate a cast of twenty, but feel free to add more ensemble as your budget and space allows. Likewise, you may reduce your cast size by assigning additional minor roles to the same actor. Both Younger and Elderly Doris are being played by one actor to portray fluid states of dementia. Onstage costume changes help reinforce transition between a younger and elderly Doris.
Authors
Book Kitty Karn & Mariénne Kreitlow, music & lyrics Marienne Kreitlow