When Something Wonderful Ends

presented by Red Then Productions

co-produced with Rude Mechanicals

written by Sherry Kramer

directed by Katie Pearl

starring Barbara Chisholm

Presented May 15 – June 1, 2008 at The Off Center.

“Most impressive is how all of these Longhorn-heavy design elements combine to tell the story so vividly, and speaks to the level of quality currently pouring from UT’s theatre department and the Michener Center.” – Shanon Weaver, Austin Chronicle

ABOUT THE PLAY

Starring Barbara Chisholm and a 1964 bubble-cut Barbie in near mint condition, When Something Wonderful Ends explores the loss of one’s mother, America’s dependence on foreign oil, and Barbie dolls in an ingenious, whimsical, touching, funny, infuriating manner that only playwright Sherry Kramer could achieve.

While packing up her parents’ home following the death of her mother, Sherry uncovers the treasure trove of Barbies from her baby-boom childhood while embarking on the homework of a lifetime: discovering the roots of Islamic hatred of America and our dependence on the oil in the Middle East.

As a Jewish girl growing up in the epicenter of the Bible belt, Sherry knows a thing or two about religious fervor and the passions it engenders.

Rude Fusion is a program designed to develop deeper relationships with some of Austin’s finest theatre artists by offering material, financial and creative support for their new works, and by helping bring nationally acclaimed artists to town. Rude Fusion aims to help artists to take artistic risks, explore new ideas and keep their focus on artist pay and production values.